SY Quraishi Denies Claims of US Funding for Voter Turnout Efforts in India

International International News

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-17 09:04:38 |

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Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi has strongly refuted claims that a US agency funded voter turnout initiatives in India, calling the reports baseless and misleading. His clarification comes in response to an announcement by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which stated that it had canceled $21 million in funding for voter participation efforts in India.  

Quraishi explained that during his tenure as Chief Election Commissioner in 2012, the Election Commission of India (ECI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). However, he emphasized that this agreement did not involve any financial commitments from either side. He dismissed media reports suggesting otherwise, stating that there was no factual basis for such claims.  

According to Quraishi, the MoU was part of a broader collaboration with international election management bodies to facilitate training at the ECI’s Indian Institute of Electoral Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM). He clarified that the document explicitly stated, in two different sections, that there were no financial or legal obligations for either party. The agreement was purely intended for knowledge sharing and capacity building.  

Reaffirming his stance, Quraishi reiterated that there was no financial transaction or promise of funding involved in the MoU. He described any reference to financial aid as entirely false and malicious, designed to mislead the public. His statement aims to put an end to speculation and misinterpretations regarding foreign involvement in India’s electoral processes.

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