Clearing misconceptions on voter turnout following the issues raised by the Congress after the not too long ago concluded Maharashtra Meeting polls, the Election Fee of India (ECI) defined the method behind the aggregation of voter turnout knowledge throughout the election.
In a letter to the grand outdated celebration, the ECI additionally elaborated on how a rise in voter turnout from 5 pm to 11:45 pm is regular, being a part of the method of aggregation of voter turnout and the way there will be bona fide however inconsequential variations in votes polled and votes counted knowledge.
The apex ballot physique categorically affirmed that it’s unimaginable to alter precise voter turnout, as statutory Type 17C, giving particulars of voter turnout, is out there with approved brokers of candidates on the time of shut of ballot on the polling station itself, as reported by information company ANI.
ECI mentioned it knowledgeable every elementary a part of voter turnout launched throughout the election and issued an in depth observe and FAQs. Persevering with its elaboration, the apex ballot physique defined at size the step-by-step strategy of aggregation of voter turnout knowledge for the VTR app from each polling station on ballot day.
ECI highlighted that whereas VTR App is merely a facilitative measure for updating voting traits at common intervals on polling day, Type 17C is the immutable and solely statutory supply of whole votes polled at any polling station and is made obtainable to candidates earlier than the polling sales space is closed.
Whereas responding to the complaints raised by the Congress over Maharashtra Meeting elections, the Fee defined intimately the method involving preparation of electoral rolls and updation of voter turnout knowledge throughout elections.
On the allegation of arbitrary additions or deletions of voters, ECI mentioned that there have been no arbitrary additions or deletions in Maharashtra. ECI countered the grand outdated celebration with laborious details that its grievance of a median addition of 50,000 electors between July and November 2024 in 50 meeting constituencies, out of which 47 have been gained by Mahayuti, is factually incorrect and deceptive.
The actual fact is that solely six Meeting Constituencies had whole additions of over 50,000 electors throughout the interval. Therefore the query of successful in 47 Meeting Constituencies on this foundation doesn’t come up. Whereas detailing the well-laid-out mechanism with adequate checks and balances and disclosures, ECI emphasised that the watertight statutory scheme ensures that the deletion and addition of voters is completed strictly in response to guidelines with the fullest involvement of political events at each stage.
ECI asserts transparency and a rule-based course of in electoral roll preparation whereas involving all political events at each step. On INC issues relating to discrepancies in electoral roll preparation, ECI asserts the working of a meticulous, clear, and participative electoral roll updation course of, involving all political events and the general public at massive. Whereas detailing the well-laid-out mechanism with adequate checks and balances and disclosures, ECI emphasised that the watertight statutory scheme ensures that the deletion and addition of voters is completed strictly in response to guidelines. The Fee has additional supplemented the FAQs on Electoral Rolls for a complete understanding of all stakeholders.
Responding to the allegation of Congress of irregular patterns in deletions in Maharashtra. ECI, in its reply to Congress, knowledgeable that there have been no bulk deletions or uncommon deletion patterns seen throughout all Meeting Constituencies. Deletions of a median of 2779 electors per AC occurred on account of demise/shifting and duplicate entries after following due course of, together with participation of the Congress representatives.
ECI lists out almost 60 situations of proactive involvement of political events or candidates throughout all the electoral course of. The Fee reiterated that political events, being key stakeholders, are concerned scrupulously at every stage of the election course of from Roll to Ballot. Significant involvement of political events/candidates is a key pillar of the Indian electoral course of.
The ballot physique knowledgeable Congress that each one knowledge, as demanded by the celebration, pertaining to electors for every constituency in Maharashtra and Type 20 is out there on CEO Maharashtra’s web site and will be downloaded. In its reply, EC assures collaboration on its meticulous, participative, and clear processes. The Fee underscored the significance of collaboration with all political events and welcomed constructive ideas.
(With ANI Inputs)
