Tendered vote
Also called: Tendered ballot paper · Topic: Elections and the Electoral System · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A tendered vote is a paper ballot given to a real voter who finds that someone has already voted in their name. The voter marks it, and it is kept in a separate sealed cover. It is not counted in the result. It is kept as evidence in case anyone challenges the election. Rule 42 of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961 provides for it. It protects the voter's right and leaves a record of the fraud.
Example
A woman reaches her booth and is told her name is already marked as voted. She proves who she is, and the Presiding Officer gives her a tendered ballot paper. Her vote is set aside, not counted, and kept as evidence.
Don't confuse with
- Postal ballot: This is a paper ballot sent by post to voters such as service voters. Postal ballots are counted in the result. A tendered ballot is not counted.
Related concepts
- Indelible ink
- Booth capturing
- Electronic voting machine
- Voter verifiable paper audit trail
- NOTA
- NOTA case