The Election Commission of India (ECI) unveiled a new format for the release of voter turnout data, incorporating the absolute number of voters in each parliamentary constituency. This initiative, introduced for the first five phases of polling, marks a significant expansion in the transparency and accessibility of electoral information.
Emphasizing its commitment to electoral integrity, the ECI assured the public that any tampering or alteration of the number of votes polled is categorically impossible. This assurance comes in response to concerns raised by the Opposition regarding delays in the release of final voter turnout data and allegations of discrepancies in the voting data previously disseminated by the Commission.
In light of these concerns, the ECI reiterated the robustness of its electoral processes, emphasizing the rigorous, transparent, and participative nature of the entire process of vote collection and storage. The Commission underscored the meticulous procedures involved in recording and releasing voter turnout data, including the provision of final elector lists to candidates, the distribution of Form 17C to authorized agents for each polling station, and the inviolability of records once recorded in Form 17C.
Moreover, the ECI highlighted its continuous efforts to enhance transparency and accessibility in electoral data dissemination. These efforts include the introduction of recent enhancements such as aggregate phase-wise turnout figures in the Voter Turnout App, enabling a screenshot feature in the Android version of the app, and the release of constituency-wise elector data.
Furthermore, the ECI emphasized the availability of voter turnout data in real-time through its Voter Turnout App, which provides estimated turnout data every two hours on poll days and continuously updates after polling concludes. The Commission clarified that finality in voter turnout data may vary depending on factors such as geographical and weather conditions, as well as the arrival of poll parties and any necessary repolling.
In reaffirming its commitment to the highest standards of transparency throughout the electoral cycle, the ECI seeks to uphold public confidence in the integrity and fairness of the democratic process.
