“How did the voting percentage increase so much?”, Opposition raised questions on the figures released 11 days late, know who said what

The Election Commission on Tuesday released official figures for 11 days of voting in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections and four days of voting in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. Marxist Communist Party leader Sitaram Yechury, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien and political analyst Yogendra Yadav have raised questions regarding these figures. He asked how the voting percentage had increased so much as compared to the initial figures and why the number of voters was not given.

According to the Election Commission, 66.14 percent voting took place in the first phase and 66.71 percent voting took place in the second phase. According to the Commission, in the first phase of elections for 102 seats, 66.22 percent male and 66.07 percent female voters exercised their franchise, while 31.32 percent of registered transgender voters voted. At the same time, the second phase of voting was concluded on April 26, in which 66.99 percent male voters and 66.42 percent female voters exercised their franchise for 88 seats. In the second phase, 23.86 percent of transgender registered voters voted.

“There is a possibility of manipulation in the results”

Regarding these figures of the Election Commission, Sitaram Yechury wrote on But why was the complete number of voters in each parliamentary constituency not disclosed? Unless this figure is known, the voting percentage is meaningless.” He wrote, “There remains a possibility of manipulation in the results, as some voting numbers may be changed at the time of counting. Till 2014, the total number of voters in each constituency was always available on the Election Commission’s website. The Commission should be transparent and put forward this data.”

“Election Commission will have to answer”

In another post, Yechury wrote, “I am talking about the absolute number of registered voters in each constituency, not the number of votes cast, which will be known only after counting of postal ballots. Why is some number of voters in each constituency not being reported? The Election Commission will have to answer.”

“Voting percentage increased by 5.75%”

“Importantly, the Election Commission released final voting figures four days after the second phase ended,” O’Brien wrote on Twitter. An increase of 5.75 percent (surge in voting) from the numbers released by the Election Commission four days ago! Is this normal? What am I missing here?”

“The data was available within 24 hours.”

At the same time, political analyst Yogendra Yadav wrote on Twitter, I have watched and studied Indian elections for 35 years. A difference of 3 to 5 percentage points between the preliminary (polling day evening) and final polling figures was not unusual, with us getting the final figures within 24 hours. What is unusual and worrying this time is the delay of 11 days in releasing the first and final figures. Second, non-disclosure of the actual number of voters and votes cast for each constituency and its segments. Voting percentage does not help in election audit. Yes, this information is recorded in Form 17 for each booth and is available with the candidate’s agent, but only the Election Commission can verify the same to eliminate any possibility of manipulation or discrepancy between the votes polled and the votes counted. Can provide comprehensive data, must be provided. The Commission should also explain this inordinate delay and sudden change in the reporting format.”