Election Commission Dismisses Congress Allegations on Voter Turnout and Roll Issues; Emphasizes Data Integrity in Maharashtra Elections
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New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday released an extensive statement addressing the concerns raised by the Congress party about discrepancies in voter turnout and irregularities in the electoral rolls during the Maharashtra Assembly Elections that took place on November 20, 2024. The Commission reiterated its commitment to transparency, accuracy, and compliance with the established rules throughout the electoral process.
Clarification on Voter Turnout
The ECI firmly rejected the Congress party's allegations regarding inconsistencies in voter turnout. It clarified that comparing turnout statistics at 5 p.m. to the final figures at 11:45 p.m. is misleading, as voter turnout typically rises during the data compilation phase. The final turnout numbers are derived from Form 17C, which is the official documentation of votes cast at each polling booth. This form is made accessible to authorized representatives of candidates at the end of polling, ensuring that the data is both accurate and transparent.
The Commission assured that the data cannot be altered after the polling booths close, as Form 17C serves as a reliable source of information.
Response to Electoral Roll Allegations
The Congress party had expressed concerns about the addition of 50,000 voters across 50 constituencies from July to November 2024, alleging that 47 of these constituencies were secured by the Mahayuti alliance. The ECI dismissed these claims as misleading, clarifying that only six constituencies experienced an increase of more than 50,000 voters during this timeframe. The Commission highlighted that these numbers did not support the Congress party's assertion that the results in 47 constituencies were affected by these additions.
The ECI also elaborated on the process of preparing electoral rolls. It emphasized that any modifications, including additions or removals, occur strictly in accordance with the rules, with full participation from political parties. Removals are executed based on valid reasons such as deaths, relocations, or duplicate entries, and the Congress party was engaged in the electoral roll updating process.
The ECI reiterated its dedication to a transparent and inclusive electoral process. It underscored the active involvement of political parties, candidates, and the public in the preparation and finalization of the electoral rolls. The Commission also noted that detailed electoral data, including Form 20, is publicly accessible on the Chief Electoral Officer's website, available to all stakeholders.
No Irregularities in Deletions
In response to concerns regarding bulk deletions, the ECI clarified that no irregularities were present. The average number of deletions per constituency was 2,779 voters, with valid reasons such as deaths, relocations, and duplicate entries. The deletion process adhered to established protocols, with representatives from the Congress party participating to ensure fairness.
