MEA denies reports of USAID funding Indian voter turnout

Contrary to the claim made by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and President Donald Trump, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) did not provide funding of $21 million for "voter turnout" in India, the Ministry of External Affairs told Rajya Sabha Thursday, citing communications with the US embassy.

- JAY MAZOOMDAAR

CONTRARY TO THE claim made by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and President Donald Trump, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) did not provide funding of $21 million for "voter turnout" in India, the Ministry of External Affairs told Rajya Sabha Thursday, citing communications with the US embassy.

On February 21, The Indian Express reported that the $21 million aid for "voter turnout" did not come to India but went to Bangladesh in July 2022 for USAID's Amar Vote Amar (My Vote is Mine) project.

On February 16, the DOGE announced it had "cancelled," among a string of USAID funds awarded to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), a grant of $21 million for voter turnout in India.