TMC asks CEC to release 'comprehensive' seat-wise voter turnout data
The Trinamool Congress has approached Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, requesting a comprehensive report on voter turnout for the first two phases of the general elections. In a letter addressed to the CEC, the TMC said that the data released by the Election Commission of India last week does not have information about the total number of eligible electors and the actual votes cast. "This is a paradigm shift from...previous voter turnout report...from the past election," said the TMC.
Why does this story matter?
Over 10 days after Phase 1 and four days after Phase 2 polling for the Lok Sabha elections, the ECI on April 30 released the final voter turnout percentages for the initial rounds. This came amid questions by the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the TMC over the delay in release of the data. They had raised concerns over "manipulation of results" due to lack of transparency.
ECI's earlier response to row
Amid the opposition's allegations of delay by the ECI in sharing voter turnout data, the poll body last Friday asserted that "disclosure and transparency are standard practices in the ECI's work and booth-wise data of actual number of votes polled is available with the candidates soon after the voting ends."
TMC highlights discrepancies in voter turnout data
The TMC also highlighted other "discrepancies and inconsistencies" in the ECI data. It party said that the initial voter turnout percentage for phase 1 was reported as 60% on April 19 but was later revised to 66.14% on April 30. The TMC expressed concern over the delay in releasing the final voter percentage, as well as the "sudden" increase in participation without "explanation," sparks doubt in the mind of the electorate.
TMC cites election rules
The TMC has cited Rule 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which mandates presiding officers to prepare an account of votes recorded in Form 17C and share it with every polling agent. This account should include details such as the actual number of electors, number of people who voted, and total votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
TMC demands seat-wise voter data
The TMC demanded that the ECI publish the total registered electors in each seat, the total number of voters physically turned up as per the "Register for Voters," and the number of voters according to the EVMs, for all constituencies in first two phases. "The ECI's failure to address such discrepancies would undermine the public trust in the electoral process," it added. Voting for the general elections is being held in seven phases. The third phase voting is underway today
