The Election Commission of India (ECI) stated on Sunday that none of the 92 election petitions challenging the results in 79 Lok Sabha constituencies have raised concerns about the differences in voter turnout figures released at 7 PM on polling day and those reported the following day.
An ECI official clarified that a false narrative is being propagated by some parties, aiming to discredit the largest and most transparent elections ever held. The official emphasized that the initial turnout figures at 7 PM on polling day are approximate and can change as many polling stations may still be closing and voters may be waiting in queues.
The final turnout figures are available a day later after all data is reconciled according to statutory procedures under the Representation of the People Act (RPA).
The official also pointed out that the appropriate way to challenge an election result is through an election petition under the RPA 1951. However, no petitions have been filed on the grounds of discrepancies in voter turnout figures. The ECI noted that fewer election petitions have been filed in the 2024 general elections compared to the 2019 elections, where 138 petitions were filed.
This statement comes in response to two reports released in the past two weeks that raised concerns about discrepancies in voter turnout figures. One report, titled “Report: Conduct of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 — Analysis of ‘Vote Manipulation’ and ‘Misconduct during Voting and Counting’,” was released by Vote for Democracy (VFD). It questioned whether the people’s mandate had been compromised in the 2024 general elections, alleging that 79 seats across 15 states, where the NDA/BJP coalition won, showed unexplained increases in voter turnout.
The VFD report also raised concerns that in several places, the number of votes polled via Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was lower than the number of votes counted. The other report, released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on July 29, highlighted discrepancies between the total number of EVM votes cast and the actual number of EVM votes counted.
ADR’s report also pointed out the delay in releasing final voter turnout data and the lack of detailed constituency and polling station figures in absolute numbers. This, according to ADR, has raised public suspicion regarding the accuracy of the election results. Both VFD and ADR have called on the ECI to address these concerns.
The ECI maintains that all electoral data and outcomes are strictly as per statutory forms and procedures, urging the public to rely on official channels for accurate information.
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