May 17th 2024.
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has agreed to consider an urgent plea made by an NGO regarding the release of polling station-wise voter turnout data by the Election Commission. The NGO, Association for Democratic Reforms, has filed a petition seeking a direction to the poll panel to upload the data on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
The bench, comprising of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has asked the counsel representing the Election Commission to take instructions and the matter will be heard towards the end of the board. The plea was brought to the court's attention by advocate Prashant Bhushan, who is representing the NGO.
In its 2019 PIL, the NGO had filed an interim application seeking directions to the Election Commission to upload scanned copies of Form 17C Part-I of all polling stations immediately after the polls. The plea also requested for tabulated data of polling station-wise and constituency-wise voter turnout in absolute numbers for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The NGO stated that their plea was made to ensure that the democratic process is not hindered by electoral irregularities. It also highlighted the delay in the release of voter turnout data by the Election Commission, especially for the first two phases of the ongoing elections which were published 11 days after the first phase and four days after the second phase.
The plea also raised concerns over the sharp increase in voter turnout data released by the Election Commission on April 30, as compared to the initial percentages announced on the day of polling itself. The delay in releasing the final data and the high revision rate of over 5% has raised suspicions and doubts among the public regarding the accuracy of the data.
According to the petition, the non-release of absolute number of votes polled and the unreasonable delay in releasing the data has caused apprehensions among the electorate. It further stated that to restore confidence among voters, the Election Commission should be directed to disclose scanned copies of Form 17C Part-I of all polling stations within 48 hours of the close of polling.
The NGO emphasized on the need to address and dispel any doubts or suspicions regarding the data to uphold the confidence of voters. It urged the court to direct the Election Commission to release the authenticated figures for votes polled within 48 hours of the conclusion of each phase of polling. This, according to the NGO, will ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
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