Elon Musk-Led DOGE Scraps $21 Million Funding For 'Voter Turnout' In India; BJP Flags ‘External Interference’

US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, on Saturday (15 February) cancelled a $21 million funding allocation that was intended to support voter turnout efforts in India.

DOGE shared the update in a post on its official handle on X, detailing various taxpayer-funded expenditures that had been cancelled, including "USD 21M for voter turnout in India."

"US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled," the Musk led department announced.

DOGE’s spending cuts also included a $10 million allocation for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision."

"USD 486M to the 'Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,' including USD 22M for an 'inclusive and participatory political process' in Moldova and USD 21M for voter turnout in India," DOGE said.

Reacting to the announcement, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took to X to question the intent behind the funding.

"$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!" Malviya's post read.

Other cancelled projects included $29 million meant for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh," as well as $39 million designated for "fiscal federalism" and "biodiversity conservation" in Nepal.

Additional funds revoked under DOGE’s spending review included:

• $1.5 million for "voter confidence" in Liberia.

• $14 million for "social cohesion" in Mali.

• $2.5 million for "inclusive democracies in Southern Africa."

• $47 million for "improving learning outcomes in Asia."

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