The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday released the absolute number of votes cast in the initial five phases of the elections for the Lok Sabha constituencies.
The poll panel released the absolute number of voters voluntarily the day after the Supreme Court refused to issue directions to it on an NGO’s plea to publish voter turnout data on each polling booth on its website.
According to the data, more than 11 crore (11,00,52,103) individuals from 21 states participated in the first phase of the elections on April 19. 10.58 crore (10,58,30,572) participated in the second phase, which was held on April 26 throughout the 13 states and Union territories.
On May 7, a total of 11.32 crore (11,32,34,676) individuals in 11 states and Union territories participated in the third phase of polling. In 10 states and Union territories, 12.24 crore (12,24,69,319) votes were cast in the fourth phase. 5.57 crore (5,57,10,618) people from eight states and Union territories participated in the fifth phase of voting.
In order to provide the absolute number of voters in each parliamentary seat, the ECI indicated that it has made the decision to further broaden the format of turnout data.
In addition, the poll panel stated that it has noticed a “pattern of false narratives and mischievous design to vitiate the electoral process.”
It said that “nobody can change the data of votes polled,” which is shared on polling day with all candidates’ polling agents through Form 17C.
Additionally, it said that the voter turnout data was constantly available on the Voter Turnout App for citizens and was always available with candidates.
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