Controversy Surrounds ECI as Lok Sabha Election Data Raises Questions
Voter Turnout Discrepancies and Delayed Actions Raise Concerns; Up to 5.75% Difference Reported.
New Delhi, 1 May 2024: The final data for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), has once again sparked questions regarding the ECI’s integrity, particularly concerning the voter turnout in Phase 1 and Phase 2.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) released voter turnout data in the first two phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. The percentage figure is nearly 6 per cent higher than the preliminary numbers released on the day of the polling.
Doubts were raised regarding the low voter turnout during the initial phases of the Lok Sabha elections. The ECI has now unveiled the final data, revealing an increase in the voting percentage by up to 5.75%. However, concerns persist regarding the reasons behind this increase and the delay in releasing the data.
Several days after the conclusion of voting for the second phase, the ECI disclosed the final data on the voting percentage. The first phase witnessed voting for 102 Lok Sabha seats on April 19, followed by voting for 88 seats in the second phase on April 26. Initially, the ECI reported a voter turnout of 60.96% for the second phase. However, on the evening of April 30, the ECI revised this figure to 66.71%, indicating a discrepancy of 5.75 percentage points from the data provided earlier.
Moreover, this time, the data released by the ECI is incomplete. Unlike the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, where data included the number of voters turnout, this time, the ECI only provided the percentage of voters, prompting further questions about the commission’s procedures. Opposition party leaders have also raised concerns about the 10-day delay in releasing Phase 1 data.
Furthermore, questions have been raised regarding the recent actions of the ECI concerning Prime Minister Modi’s hate speech in Rajasthan. Instead of issuing a notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission of India sent a notice to BJP Party Chief JP Nadda, raising eyebrows among political circles.
In another development, after a meeting with the Election Commission of India, AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed disappointment with the EC’s response regarding objectionable posters circulated by the BJP in the national capital. Bharadwaj highlighted the EC’s reluctance to address their queries and take action on the complaints filed by AAP, underscoring the ongoing tensions between political parties and election authorities and raising concerns about the enforcement of electoral guidelines and fairness in campaigning.
Past incidents have also drawn attention to the perceived bias of the Election Commission of India, with immediate notices issued to opposition parties while the ruling party BJP faces less stringent scrutiny. Such instances raise significant questions about the role of the ECI in the functioning of India’s democracy.
