Nagpur: A total of 383 ‘tendered votes' were recorded across 12 constituencies in the district during the recent assembly elections, with over 83% of these votes coming from urban areas. In contrast, rural constituencies accounted for a mere 16% of the tendered votes. Nearly 28 lakh voters, accounting for a 61.60% turnout, cast their votes in the elections, setting a new record for the past decade.
Tendered votes work as a safeguard in the electoral process, designed to protect the rights of genuine voters when irregularities occur. These votes are cast when a legitimate voter finds that their name was used to vote by someone else. In such cases, the voter is allowed to cast a tendered vote after providing identification and evidence of eligibility.
Nagpur North recorded the highest number of tendered votes at 68, followed closely by Nagpur Central with 67. Nagpur East also saw a significant 62 votes. These urban constituencies show a recurring pattern of higher number of tendered votes as compared to the rural areas of the district.
In contrast, rural constituencies like Ramtek and Umred reported just 2 and 3 tendered votes respectively. Other regions in rural areas like Katol and Saoner too recorded figures in the single digits with 4 and 10 votes, reflecting fewer anomalies in less densely populated areas. Kamptee, balancing urban and rural demographics, saw 29 tendered votes, adding an interesting middle ground to the narrative.
The procedure for tendered voting is stringent to ensure transparency. The voter reports the issue to the presiding officer at the polling station. After verification, they are permitted to vote on a separate ballot paper, distinctly marked as a tendered vote. This ballot is not deposited in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) but kept in a sealed envelope, ensuring that it is counted separately if necessary during a dispute or investigation. These votes often highlight discrepancies such as impersonation or errors in the electoral roll.
Collector Vipin Itankar, while shedding light on tender votes, said, "Tender votes are not bogus votes; they cannot be termed as such. In case of an error where someone else has voted in your name, this system ensures that your vote is still counted, allowing everyone the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right."
Experts believe that tendered votes, while statistically minor, serve as an important marker of electoral integrity. Urban constituencies, characterised by higher population density, are more prone to such incidents. Meanwhile, rural areas seem to report fewer discrepancies. These silent indicators reflect the resilience and evolving challenges of India's democracy, said an analyst.
Nagpur: A total of 383 ‘tendered votes' were recorded across 12 constituencies in the district during the recent assembly elections, with over 83% of these votes coming from urban areas. In contrast, rural constituencies accounted for a mere 16% of the tendered votes. Nearly 28 lakh voters, accounting for a 61.60% turnout, cast their votes in the elections, setting a new record for the past decade.
Tendered votes work as a safeguard in the electoral process, designed to protect the rights of genuine voters when irregularities occur. These votes are cast when a legitimate voter finds that their name was used to vote by someone else. In such cases, the voter is allowed to cast a tendered vote after providing identification and evidence of eligibility.
Nagpur North recorded the highest number of tendered votes at 68, followed closely by Nagpur Central with 67. Nagpur East also saw a significant 62 votes. These urban constituencies show a recurring pattern of higher number of tendered votes as compared to the rural areas of the district.
In contrast, rural constituencies like Ramtek and Umred reported just 2 and 3 tendered votes respectively. Other regions in rural areas like Katol and Saoner too recorded figures in the single digits with 4 and 10 votes, reflecting fewer anomalies in less densely populated areas. Kamptee, balancing urban and rural demographics, saw 29 tendered votes, adding an interesting middle ground to the narrative.
The procedure for tendered voting is stringent to ensure transparency. The voter reports the issue to the presiding officer at the polling station. After verification, they are permitted to vote on a separate ballot paper, distinctly marked as a tendered vote. This ballot is not deposited in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) but kept in a sealed envelope, ensuring that it is counted separately if necessary during a dispute or investigation. These votes often highlight discrepancies such as impersonation or errors in the electoral roll.
Collector Vipin Itankar, while shedding light on tender votes, said, "Tender votes are not bogus votes; they cannot be termed as such. In case of an error where someone else has voted in your name, this system ensures that your vote is still counted, allowing everyone the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right."
Experts believe that tendered votes, while statistically minor, serve as an important marker of electoral integrity. Urban constituencies, characterised by higher population density, are more prone to such incidents. Meanwhile, rural areas seem to report fewer discrepancies. These silent indicators reflect the resilience and evolving challenges of India's democracy, said an analyst.