‘Means to deter an elector’: EC pulls up Kharge over turnout data charge
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday, in a strongly-worded reply pulled up Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his allegations of discrepancies and delay in release of voter turnout data, saying that it was a “deliberate attempt to spread confusion”.
In its reply, the EC said, “Utterances from president of national political party attacking the very credibility of the electoral steps and processes can have a negative impact on voter participation and can be seen as a means to deter an elector from exercising their franchise and/or demoralising the huge number of election staff and machinery which is mainly drawn from the respective State governments.”
On May 7, Kharge wrote to the leaders of the INDIA bloc over the alleged discrepancies in the voting data. He urged the INDIA bloc leaders to raise their voices against voting data discrepancies, for “our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution”.
Kharge also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party are “visibly flustered” by the voting trends and their receding electoral fortunes in the first two phases.
“In this context, I would urge all of you that we must collectively, unitedly and unequivocally raise our voice against such discrepancies, for our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution. Let us ensure the independence of the Election Commission of India and make it accountable. Let us ensure the independence of the Election Commission of India and make it accountable,” the letter read.
In a post on social media platform X, Kharge wrote, “On April 30, 2024, the Election Commission released the final voter turnout data for the first 2 phases of elections for the 2024 Lok Sabha. The data was released 11 days after the first phase of polling (19 April 2024) and 4 days after the Second Phase (26 April 2024). In this regard our first question for the Election Commission is why did the Commission delay the release of voter turnout data? On earlier occasions, it has published voter turnout data within 24 hours of polling. What has changed this time? Why has the Commission failed to issue any clarification to justify the delay.”