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Lok Sabha Elections: The discrepancy between the number of votes cast on polling day and the final figures announced by it has sparked controversy. Election Commission officials on Wednesday said any 'change' in voting should be calculated based on the difference between the figures updated on the second day of voting and the final figures released a few days later. Along with this, he said that there is a difference of only a few lakhs between the figures announced on the second day of voting and the final figures. Congress has expressed concern over the increase of 1.07 crore in voting. They have pointed out the discrepancy between the figures displayed on the Election Commission's app on polling day and the final polling data.
Election officials have refused to comment on the record, citing pending cases in the Supreme Court, which has been a cause of concern for the Congress. However, they pointed out that it was wrong to separate polling day data from the next day's data. This is because voting details from remote polling stations are usually not available on the day of polling. If the voting details are received from all polling stations by the next day, then it is uploaded the next day. Due to which there is a slight difference in the data.
What is the percentage difference in voting?
As per the declared voting figures, there is no significant difference in absolute terms and percentage as compared to the 'final' figures declared by the Election Commission. For example, during the first phase, the total voting percentage on the polling day (April 19) was 63.5% but when the total voting percentage came on the second day, it increased to 66.1%. However, the final voting percentage remained unchanged. A similar trend was observed in the initial three phases. However, the final voting percentage in the fourth phase increased marginally to 69.2% from the previous figure of 68.9%. The most growth was seen in updated data during this phase. According to information received from sources, the reason for this was high voting on the last day due to which the voting period had to be extended at many centres.
Election officials cited 2019 data to refute claims of high level of improvement. They said the difference between the figures announced in the evening press conference on polling day in all phases in 2019 and the final figures announced by the Election Commission was between 1.5% to 3.4%. An Election Commission source said that after completion of polling at the booth, the polling team comes to the respective returning officer with Form 17C. This form contains the exact number of votes. The official further said that there is no question of any change or increase in the total vote at each polling station as the details are recorded in Form 17C and polling agents get signed copies of this form.