Last Friday, the polling agency said booth-by-booth data on the “actual number of votes” would be made available to candidates immediately after voting ended, amid opposition claims that the electoral commission was slow to share turnout data. He insisted that it would be done.
In a letter to the CEC, the Trinamool Congress said that although the poll panel “belatedly” announced the first two-phase voting percentage on April 30, the report does not include the total number of voters and the actual number of voters. He said he had no information on the number. votes cast.
“This is a paradigm shift from the turnout reports in past elections, where ECI had provided detailed reports in this regard,” the TMC said.
The party claimed that the report also contained significant discrepancies and inconsistencies in the percentages initially indicated.
In the first stage, the turnout on April 19 was shown as 60. Later, in the comprehensive voter turnout report on April 30, the TMC said the turnout of votes cast in the first phase was recorded as 66.14 per cent.
The party said that the 11-day delay in announcing the final voting percentage for the first stage and the “significant increase in the voting participation rate for the first stage to 5.75%, almost four days after the end of the second stage, were inappropriate.” “The fact that the incident was reported without any explanation is causing unrest.” There are serious concerns and doubts in the minds of voters. ”
According to the Act, under Regulation 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, the Speaker shall prepare a report of voting recorded in Form 17C, stating the actual number of electors, the number of people who voted and the total number of votes cast. shall be provided to all polling places. Number of votes recorded in EVM.
In a letter to the Election Commissioner, the TMC mentioned certain polling stations where the director had “omitted” the provision of recording the number of voters who physically came to vote as per the “voter list”.
The TMC said the “inconsistencies” in the Form 17C “demonstrate the rampant neglect and laziness with which the ECI is proceeding towards the conduct of subsequent elections.”
“It also suggests that similar incidents may occur at other booths, raising serious concerns about the accuracy of the turnout figures reported and published by the ECI. Failure to do so would undermine public confidence in the electoral process,” they said. Said.
The TMC will publish to the ECI the total number of registered voters for each seat, the total number of voters actually gathered based on the “voter list”, and the number of voters based on EVM for all constituencies where elections have been concluded. he demanded. Polls will be conducted in Phase 1 and Phase 2.
“Urgently provide accurate voter turnout figures for each parliamentary constituency in the first and second stages of the 2024 Sabah General Elections, as well as to ensure that the votes dated April 30, 2024 are not disclosed. To provide explanations and clarifications regarding the delay in the release of the percentage report / provide details of the total number of voters (in numbers) and the total number of eligible electors in the above stages.
The party also called for a detailed report to be released after polls in each future stage are concluded.
“Publication of accurate numerical data on voter turnout is essential to ensure transparency in the electoral process and is the only medium through which the general public can access such information. , to eliminate the possibility of any form of falsification of official records and to enhance public confidence in the entire voting process,” the TMC said.
The Election Commission officially announced voter turnout figures on April 30th. It said a turnout of 66.14 per cent in the first phase and 66.71 per cent in the second phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls was recorded.
The Congress, CPI-M and TMC have questioned the EC over the delay in announcing the final turnout for the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls, 11 days after the first round of voting on April 19. Ta. Demand that the absolute number of voters be published.
Voting for the Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases. The remaining 5 phases will be held on May 7th, May 13th, May 20th, May 25th, and June 1st. The counting of votes will take place on his June 4th.
issued May 6, 2024, 13:35 IST
