NEW DELHI: In light of the recent Supreme Court decision to decline directions on the Election Commission’s (EC) handling of Form 17C data and booth-wise voter turnout, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar emphasized the need to clear doubts and suspicions surrounding electoral processes.
Speaking after casting his vote at a polling booth in Delhi, Kumar remarked, “They have acknowledged the truth. An attempt is made to create an atmosphere of doubt. We will discuss this with everyone one day for sure.” He pledged to address concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, stating, “We will reveal why doubts are created and suspicions raised. We will show how people are misled and how doubts about EVMs and voting lists arise. The Supreme Court has given its answer, but we will also provide our answer.”
The Supreme Court, on Friday, declined to pass directions on a plea seeking the uploading of Form 17C data on the Election Commission of India website and the publication of booth-wise voter turnout data. Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma refused interim relief to the petitioners, stating they could not interrupt the polls. The ECI had previously filed an affidavit indicating that voter turnout data based on Form 17C could cause confusion as it includes postal ballot counts.
Kumar shared his personal voting experience with his 95-year-old father, wife, and daughter, underscoring the importance of voting for every citizen. Reflecting on his first voting experience with his father, he noted the pride of having three generations vote together. He urged every voter, especially the youth, to participate in the electoral process.
Kumar also commended the enthusiasm and turnout observed during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Despite the heat, he acknowledged the good turnout and enthusiasm seen in the first five phases. He highlighted the use of multiple languages in the elections and appreciated the arrangements made by the EC, including fans, doctors, and drinking water, which received positive feedback from every state.
In the sixth phase of polling, 58 constituencies from six states and two union territories are voting, with over 11.13 crore voters deciding the fate of 889 candidates, including former chief ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Mehbooba Mufti. The sixth phase includes eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana, one seat in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Jharkhand, all seven seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and eight in West Bengal. Additionally, 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha are voting simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections.
