1. The ECI released absolute voter turnout numbers for the first five phases of the Lok Sabha elections.
2. It emphasized that polling data has always been accessible to both candidates and the public.
3. The ECI criticized “false narratives” and affirmed that voter turnout data is available from 9:30 am on each poll day.
New Delhi, May 25: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday released the absolute voter turnout numbers for the first five phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing that the polling data has always been accessible to both candidates and the public.
The ECI criticized what it termed a “pattern of false narratives and mischievous designs to vitiate the electoral process,” asserting that voter turnout data has consistently been made available through its app starting from 9:30 am on each poll day of every phase.
This release of absolute polling numbers came a day after the Supreme Court refused to issue directives to the poll body in response to an NGO’s plea for uploading polling booth-wise voter turnout data on its website during the Lok Sabha elections.
The court favored a “hands-off attitude” amidst the ongoing electoral process.
The poll panel had opposed the NGO’s demand, arguing that it would “vitiate” the electoral space and cause “chaos” within the poll machinery during the general elections.
“The Commission feels duly strengthened by the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s observations and verdict on the process of release of turnout data by the Election Commission of India,” the poll body stated in a release.
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The ECI stressed that altering the number of votes polled is not possible due to the rigorous, transparent, and participative process involved.
It highlighted that authorized agents of all candidates possess Form 17C, which records the total number of votes polled at each of the approximately 10.5 lakh polling stations across 543 parliamentary constituencies.
The Commission noted that the total number of votes polled, as recorded in Form 17C, cannot be altered as these records are available to all contesting candidates.
“Agents of candidates are always allowed to accompany EVM and statutory papers, including Form 17C, from the polling station to storage in a strong room as per Rule 49 V (2) of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961,” the ECI noted.
“The candidate or his agents bring the copy of Form 17C to the counting center and compare it with the results in each round,” it added.
