Ex-CEC criticizes report of US agency funding to boost Indian voter turnout.

• Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi rejects a report suggesting U.S. agency funding was used to boost voter turnout in India.

• Quraishi’s reaction follows the announcement by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of expenditure cuts, including $21 million for “voter turnout in India.”

• The DOGE cancelled several programs, including $486 million in grants to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening, including $21 million for “voter turnout in India.”

• Quraishi argues that the cancelled program was a reference to the previous Congress-led UPA government’s alleged infiltration of Indian institutions.

• BJP leader Amit Malviya deems the grant an “external interference” in India’s elections.