'Is EC Trying To Provide Backdoor Help?': After Congress, Uddhav's Sena Questions Poll Body On Turnout Figures

According to EC, a total of 66.14 percent of voter turnout was recorded in the first phase, while the second phase witnessed a voting turnout of 66.71 percent.

In view of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Election Commission of India released a statement, indicating the total polling turnout percentage till now over the first two phases. Commenting on this, Shiv Sena (UBT), which seemed to disagree with the figures alleged that they were inflated as the figures released by the poll body were different than what the media had reported, questioning the poll body over the delay in announcing the turnout figures. Uddhav's Sena also alleged that EC was trying to help someone through the back doors by doing so.

Previously, the Congress,TMC, CPI (M) on Tuesday also questioned the EC over delays in announcing the final voter turnout for the first two phases, 11 days after the first round, which was held on April 19.

Shiv Sena's (UBT) Anand Dubey stated that the the Election Commission had released in its press note that around 66 percent of voting happened in the first and second phase of the Lok Sabha polls, but after both the phases concluded, media reported that there had been 60 percent voting.

The leader raised questions as to why the poll body took so much time to reveal the data, despite so many employees working for it, and why it was different from what the media stated, adding that EC should reveal the data on the day of the polling itself. 

He further asked will there be any inquiry on this and if anyone will question or debate as to why the finak voter percentage of the first two phases are different. "Are we supposed to believe whatever the EC is saying just like it said that Shiv Sena is the real Shiv Sena and not Shiv Sena (UBT).

"Election Commission released a press note that stated that 66% voting happened in the first & second phase of the election...It took around 10 days for the EC to release the data on the percentage of voting...After the first & second phases of the elections, the media said that there had been 60% voting. Now it is 66%, what is happening?, Dubey told news agency ANI.

The Shiv Sena(UBT) leader also criticised EC for not doing anythung to raise the voter turnout since polling rates have gone down in this year's election.

ECI Should Be Timely & Transparent: Congress

Before the Election Commision's announcement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on April 30 stated that it was important for the EC to be timely and transparent about the poll-related data, stressing that the poll body should release the turnout figures.

He said in a post on X that it was for the first time that even after 11 days since the first phase was held and four days since the second phase was held, and the final voter turnout was still not announced by the ECI. Jairam Ramesh also wrote that the poll body used to previously publish the voter turnout immediately after voting or within 24 hours.

According to EC, a total of 66.14 percent of voter turnout was recorded in the first phase, while the second phase witnessed a voting turnout of 66.71 percent.

The first phase of polling was held on April 19 across 102 constituencies and the second phase was held for 88 constituencies on April 26. The next phase is scheduled to be held on May 7.