EC releases data on number of votes cast in 5 phases of Lok Sabha elections

On Saturday, the Election Commission released a detailed data on the number of votes cast in the first five phases of the Lok Sabha elections. The Commission emphasized that the “process of collection and storage of votes polled is rigorous, transparent and participative.”

Responding to demands for voter turnout data, the Commission clarified that there has been no delay in its release. According to the Commission, “Voter turnout data was always available 24X7 on the facilitative Voter Turnout App from 9:30 am on the morning of each poll day. The app publishes estimated voter turnout every two hours until 5:30 pm. After 7:00 pm, when polling parties start arriving, the data is continuously updated.”

The Election Commission also assured that any alteration in the number of votes polled is not possible. The release of absolute voter numbers followed a Supreme Court decision declining to issue directives based on an NGO’s plea for booth-wise voter turnout data on the EC’s website.

In an effort to increase transparency, the EC announced its decision to expand the format of turnout data to include the absolute number of voters for each parliamentary constituency.

Also Read: Polling for Phase 6 Lok Sabha elections underway, 49.2% voters make it to booths till 3 pm

These absolute numbers can be determined by applying the turnout percentage to the total number of electors, both of which are already publicly available, the Commission stated.

Electors are individuals listed on the electoral roll and eligible to vote, while voters are those who actually cast their vote. Although the EC has been providing turnout percentages, there had been calls to make the actual number of voters public for each phase.

Meanwhile, in the sixth and penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha election, voters are casting their ballots across 58 seats in seven states and one Union Territory.

Both Delhi and Haryana are conducting their voting in a single phase. After Saturday, only 57 seats will remain to be contested in the final phase.

By 11 am, a voter turnout of 25.8 percent was recorded across these 58 constituencies. The figure rose to 49.2 percent by 3pm.