Kanchan Vasdev, a “The Indian Express” journalist, has come under fire after claiming she was among the 13.6 lakh voters removed from the electoral rolls, only to retract her statement a few hours later. On 13th October (Tuesday), the Senior Assistant Editor at the Punjab bureau first alleged, “I am among the 13.6 lakh voters deleted in Punjab.” However, she later confessed, “My vote is intact. There was some confusion on my end. Thank you for all your help.”
The users quickly called out the misleading tactic that the “journalist” aimed to execute and denounced her for it. Popular social media personality Ankur Singh highlighted how she had to clarify after the truth came to light and added, “This is how a fake narrative is created.”
Indian Express journalist says her name was deleted in SIR. Post got viral, EC fact checked her. Now she says her name was there,there was some confusion. This is how Fake Narrative is created. https://t.co/koCf3DAlp1
— Ankur Singh (@AnkurSingh) October 14, 2026
Prateek Punj conveyed that Vasdev sought to fabricate a deceptive account and believed she could continue the lie. He further stated, “But now, since you got fact-checked and your propaganda couldn’t be accomplished, you are backtracking. Peak shameless journalism.”
So, you decided to create a fake narrative and thought you could run with it. But now since you got fact checked and your propaganda couldn’t be accomplished, you are not back tracking!! Kudos!!
— Prateek Punj (@punjiam) October 14, 2026
Peak shameless journalism!
Rishi Pandey mocked, “No worries. We knew it was propaganda and misinformation coming from the house of The indian Express,” and tagged the media house.
>@kanchan99 No worries. We knew it was propaganda and misinformation coming from the house of @IndianExpress.
— Rishi Pandey (@RishiPandey007) October 14, 2026
Karthik Balachandran expressed that journalists can readily propagate inaccurate information and, when fact-checked, assert confusion as justification while remaining free from consequences. “Demand accountability, and the same woman would write a long essay about press freedom. How’s this different from shouting fire in a crowded theatre,” he asked.
>@kanchan99 Any journalist can spread fake news and when fact checked say "Oops.. confusion at my end", with zero consequences. Demand accountability and the same woman would write a long essay about press freedom. How’s this different from shouting "fire!" in a crowded theatre ?
— Karthik Balachandran (@karthik2k2) October 15, 2026
Another person commented that ordinary citizens have clarity, while the journalist employed by the Indian Express claimed to be confused, adding, “Another hit Job failed when people responded.”
>@kanchan99 Common people are not confused but Journalist from India Express is confused. Another hit Job failed when people responded.
— Vineet (@Bhartiy39560630) October 14, 2026
The angry netizens were demanding an apology for trying to create disorder and misinformation, criticising The Indian Express and characterising the platform as a vehicle for disseminating falsehoods and half-truths intended to destabilise the country.
Notably, The Indian Express recently published a series of “exclusive articles” attacking the Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, the Election Commission formally rejected these allegations, outlining that all decisions regarding the SIR initiative have been made unanimously, dismissing claims of internal discord.
The commission further emphasised that the crucial initiative has received support from the Supreme Court, which has voiced satisfaction with its implementation and has also provided approval for Form 6.
