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Vellore Activist Rides Against Vote-Bribery Ahead of Tamil Nadu Elections

A social activist in Vellore, Nivedan Kumar, is campaigning to stop the practice of accepting money for votes ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He travels the city with banners on his bike and person, declaring his vote is not for sale. Kumar equates citizens taking money to vote with officials taking bribes, calling it the "first form of corruption." His goal is to ensure 100% voter participation without the sale of votes in the upcoming polls.

Key Points: Activist Campaigns Against Vote-Bribery in Tamil Nadu

  • Campaign against electoral bribery
  • Promoting ethical voting
  • Citizen's duty highlighted
  • Aiming for 100% voter participation
2 min read

"My vote is not for sale...": Vellore activist campaigns against bribery ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

Vellore activist Nivedan Kumar campaigns, declaring "My vote is not for sale," to promote ethical voting ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.

"People must realise that this is the first form of corruption. - Nivedan Kumar"

Vellore, April 1

A man in Vellore city has taken it upon himself to raise awareness against accepting money in exchange for votes ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. Carrying the message, "I will not accept money for my vote; my vote is not for sale," on his bike, he travels across the city educating voters about the importance of ethical voting.

Nivedan Kumar, a social activist, has been consistently spreading public awareness on various civic issues such as traffic violations, helmet usage, and plastic eradication. With the elections approaching, he has now focused his attention on promoting clean and fair voting practices.

The self-employed individual carries placards while going about his business, with messages written on his back, such as, 'The first corruption is both accepting money for a vote and giving money for a vote'.

He has also mounted a banner on the front of his vehicle, styled like a flag, reading, 'I will not accept money for my vote; my vote is not for sale', and travels across the city daily to spread awareness among the public.

Speaking to ANI about his initiative, Nivedan Kumar said that just as it is considered corruption when government officials take money to perform their duties, citizens who accept money to perform their democratic duty of voting should also be regarded as bribed.

"I am doing a campaign against bribery. Just as it is considered corruption when government officials take bribes to perform their duties, it should equally be seen as corruption when citizens accept money to perform their democratic duty of voting, which ultimately shapes the government. People must realise that this is the first form of corruption. That is why I am carrying out this awareness campaign. My aim is for every voter to pledge that their vote is not for sale and to ensure 100% voter participation without selling their votes," he said.

Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, covering a total of 234 constituencies in the state. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Respect to Nivedan Kumar. But let's be practical. For many daily wage workers, that 500 or 1000 rupees is a lot. The problem is systemic. Parties have budgets for this. Until there is stricter enforcement and fear of punishment, this will continue. The activist is right, but the solution needs to be stronger.
A
Arjun K
Absolutely correct. When we sell our vote for a petty amount, we sell our future for five years. We then have no right to complain about bad roads, water shortage, or corruption. The power is in our hands. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
I'm visiting Tamil Nadu and find this fascinating. The comparison to government officials taking bribes is spot on. Democracy is a duty. In my country, the idea of paying for votes is shocking. More power to this campaign for ethical voting.
M
Meera T
Good initiative, but I hope he is also targeting the party workers and local leaders who distribute the money. They are the supply side of this corruption. Voters are often vulnerable and tempted. The entire chain needs to be broken.
V
Vikram M
Proud to see this from Vellore! We need this message in every town and village. The "freebie culture" during elections has to stop. A vote should be cast for development, not for cash, liquor, or a mixer-grinder. Let's support such citizens.

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