New Delhi, Dec 24: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has addressed misconceptions regarding voter turnout raised by the Congress party after the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
In its detailed response, the ECI clarified the process of aggregating voter turnout data during elections. It explained in a letter to the Congress party that the increase in voter turnout between 5 pm and 11:45 pm is a normal part of the data aggregation process, and that differences between the "Votes Polled" and "Votes Counted" figures can be legitimate but inconsequential.
The ECI emphasized that actual voter turnout cannot be altered, as the statutory Form 17C, which details the turnout, is available to authorized agents of candidates at the polling stations when the polls close. The Commission assured the Congress party that it had disclosed all relevant information about voter turnout and had provided a comprehensive note along with FAQs. It further clarified the step-by-step process involved in aggregating voter turnout data for the VTR App on election day.
While the VTR App is designed to provide regular updates on voting trends, the ECI stressed that Form 17C is the only official, unalterable source of total votes polled at any polling station. This form is available to candidates before the polling stations close.
In response to complaints raised by the Congress regarding the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the ECI also provided a detailed explanation of the processes involved in preparing the electoral rolls and updating voter turnout data during elections. Addressing allegations of arbitrary additions or deletions of voters, the ECI clarified that there were no such instances in Maharashtra.
The ECI countered the Congress party's claim of an average addition of 50,000 electors between July and November 2024 in 50 assembly constituencies, 47 of which were reportedly won by Mahayuti, calling the claim factually incorrect and misleading. It pointed out that only six constituencies had more than 50,000 new electors during this period, meaning the allegation about the results in 47 constituencies was baseless.
In its response, the ECI underscored the robustness of the statutory framework governing voter rolls, which includes comprehensive checks, balances, and transparency, ensuring that the addition and deletion of voters follow strict guidelines and involve political parties at every stage.
(With agency inputs)
