An X user using the username Param Choudhary (Archived link) posted a screenshot of a newspaper cutting that said, “If you don’t vote, Rs 350 will be deducted from your bank account.”
The electoral commission, according to the newspaper article, has issued a fresh directive to tighten the noose on individuals who do not vote. Those who do not vote will be recognized using an Aadhar card, and Rs 350 will be debited from the bank account associated with the card. It further stated that the commission has directed all banks to comply with this decision. In addition, if you do not have a bank account, money will be debited from your mobile recharge.
In the initial phase of our research, Only Fact conducted a thorough keyword search on Google and found the claim to be misleading.
According to the article titled “Social Media Rumor Debunked: No Rs 350 Deduction for Non-Voters, Confirms Punjab Chief Electoral Officer” shared by Dainik Bhaskar (Archived link) two years ago, has clarified that the rumor of a penalty for not voting in elections is baseless and untrue.
This particular newspaper cutting had gained widespread traction on various social media platforms two years ago. In an endeavor to address the rampant dissemination of misinformation, the spokesperson for the Punjab Election Commission unequivocally dismissed the rumour, asserting that no such directive had been issued by the Election Commission of India.
The article further says that discrediting the rumor, the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab personally conducted an investigation into the matter. His findings unequivocally affirmed that the news in question was entirely fabricated and lacked any factual basis. In essence, there are no provisions for deducting any sum from individuals’ accounts for failing to participate in the electoral process, as falsely circulated on social media. The responsible authorities have categorically refuted these claims, underscoring the importance of accurate information in public discourse.
Additionally, beyond the Dainik Bhaskar report, we also uncovered a tweet from the Spokesperson ECI X handle dating back to 2019. According to the tweet from 2019, the publication of this news was intended as a playful Holi prank and was not meant to be taken seriously. The Election Commission of India refuted this claim and called it misleading.
Moreover, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified on its X account that the claim that RS 350 will be deducted from the voter’s bank account if they do not vote is inaccurate and misleading.
Hence, given the foregoing facts, it is evident that the assertion that RS 350 will be deducted from voters’ bank accounts if they do not vote is misleading. The Indian Election Commission has not issued any such order.
| Claim | RS 350 will be deducted from the voter’s bank account if they do not cast their vote |
| Claimed by | X user |
| Fact Check | False and Misleading |
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