cec-vows-to-dispel-electoral-process-suspicions

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar cast his vote at a polling booth in Delhi and spoke about the Supreme Court's recent decision regarding the Election Commission's handling of voter turnout data.

 

The Supreme Court declined to issue any directive on uploading Form 17C data and booth-wise voter turnout. Rajiv Kumar stressed the importance of dispelling doubts and suspicions about the electoral process.

 

Kumar emphasised the need to address concerns about the integrity of the electoral system. He 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.” Kumar committed to revealing the facts to the public to show how people are misled and how doubts about the electoral process are unfounded.

 

The Supreme Court's decision came in response to a plea seeking the publication of Form 17C data on the Election Commission of India's website. A bench of Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma refused to grant any interim relief to petitioners, stating it could not interrupt the polls.

 

The Election Commission had earlier argued that releasing voter turnout data based on Form 17C, which includes postal ballot counts, could confuse voters.

 

Rajiv Kumar highlighted the significance of voter participation across generations. He shared his personal experience of voting with his 95-year-old father, his wife, and his daughter, emphasising the importance of voting for every citizen.

 

Kumar said, “When I cast my vote for the first time, I went with my father, and today I have brought my father with me who is now 95 years old. He voted with me today, and my wife and daughter are also with me.

 

So, three generations have cast their votes together today. This is a matter of pride for me, and every voter should definitely vote across the country, every youth, every person.”

 

Kumar also commended the high voter turnout and enthusiasm observed in various states during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He mentioned the inclusive efforts made to encourage voting and noted the significant turnout in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

 

Despite the heat, voter turnout has been good, and the Election Commission has received positive feedback about the arrangements made for voters, including fans, doctors, and drinking water.

 

The Supreme Court’s decision not to intervene in the uploading of Form 17C data comes amidst ongoing discussions about electoral transparency and accountability.

 

CEC Rajiv Kumar’s remarks highlight the Election Commission’s commitment to addressing concerns and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in India.

 

Meanwhile, voting is ongoing for 58 constituencies across six states and two union territories in the sixth phase of polling. Over 11.13 crore voters are expected to decide the fate of 889 candidates, including former Chief Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar from Haryana and Mehbooba Mufti from Jammu and Kashmir.

 

The sixth phase includes eight seats in Bihar, all ten 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.

 

In addition to the Lok Sabha elections, 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha are also holding elections simultaneously. This phase of elections underscores the importance of voter participation and the ongoing efforts to maintain the transparency and integrity of the electoral process in India.