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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has categorically debunked a news story circulating in Chhattisgarh, alleging that the poll body has directed voting through ballot paper instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections.
Addressing the misinformation, the ECI took to social media to clarify that the story is entirely fabricated and devoid of any factual basis. Emphasizing the absence of any such directive from the ECI, the poll body underscored the importance of discerning truth from falsehoods in the run-up to the elections.
The misleading news clipping, originally published in the Evening Times newspaper, bore the headline, “Commission’s New Direction: Voting Will Be Conducted Through Ballot Paper, Not EVM.” However, the ECI’s fact-check exposed the spurious nature of the report, urging citizens to exercise caution and verify information before spreading it further.
In response to the ECI’s fact-check, social media users expressed astonishment at the audacity of the publication to propagate such baseless claims. Questions arose regarding potential repercussions for disseminating misinformation, prompting calls for accountability in journalistic practices.
Amidst the electoral fervor surrounding the Lok Sabha elections, instances of misleading news stories proliferate on social media platforms, contributing to confusion and misinformation among the electorate.
In a related development, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check initiative debunked another false narrative circulating on social media. The spurious claim suggested that voters failing to exercise their franchise in the elections would incur a deduction of ₹350 from their bank accounts by the Election Commission.
PIB swiftly refuted the concocted story, affirming that no such decision had been made by the Election Commission. The fact-checking agency cautioned against the dissemination of misleading news and implored citizens to refrain from sharing unverified information.
As the electoral landscape becomes increasingly fraught with misinformation, the onus lies on citizens to exercise discernment and skepticism in consuming and sharing news. The Election Commission, along with fact-checking entities like PIB, plays a pivotal role in combating the proliferation of falsehoods, underscoring the imperative of upholding the integrity of democratic processes.
