Patna, Vikas Kumar Ojha, December 24th, 2024: The Election Commission of India has clarified its position in response to concerns raised by Congress regarding the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. The Commission emphasized transparency and process-based procedures while addressing issues related to voter turnout, the preparation of the voter list, and other complaints raised by Congress.
Clarification on Voter Turnout Allegations
The Election Commission clarified that comparing the voter turnout at 5 PM with the final voter turnout (End of Poll) is not appropriate. According to the Commission, the increase in voter turnout from 5 PM to 11:45 PM is a normal adjustment process. The Commission also confirmed that at the time of the closure of voting at polling stations, Form 17C, which contains details of the voter turnout, is provided to the authorized polling agents of political candidates.
Process of Issuing Voter Turnout Figures
The Election Commission explained the process of updating voter turnout figures and stated that the VTR app is merely a tool for updating voter turnout at regular intervals. In contrast, Form 17C is considered the immutable and legal source for the total votes cast at any polling station. The Commission released a detailed note and FAQs to ensure transparency in the process.
Congress Complaints Regarding Voter List
- Allegations of Arbitrary Voter Additions:
The Commission dismissed Congress’s claim that an average of 50,000 voters were added in 50 constituencies between July and November 2024. It clarified that only 6 constituencies saw an increase of more than 50,000 voters. - Allegations of Removal of Voter Names:
The Commission explained that an average of 2,779 voters were removed from the voter list in each constituency due to death, transfer, or duplicate entries. This process was conducted transparently with the participation of Congress representatives.
Participation of Political Parties in the Election Process
The Election Commission listed nearly 60 instances of political party involvement at various stages of the election process. It emphasized that the participation of political parties is a key pillar of the Indian electoral system.
Assurance of Transparency and Participation
The Commission informed Congress that all data and Form 20 related to voters in each Maharashtra Assembly constituency are available on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website for Maharashtra. The Commission reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with all political parties and welcomed constructive suggestions.
In its response, the Election Commission reaffirmed that the electoral process is transparent, rules-based, and inclusive, addressing Congress’s concerns while ensuring a fair and impartial election.
