Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S. Y. Quraishi has expressed concern over the significant difference between provisional and final voter turnout figures in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. In Maharashtra, where voting took place on November 20th, the turnout was recorded at 55% by 5 PM. The final voter turnout released the next day leapt to 67%—marking the highest in nearly three decades.
Speaking to ‘India Today,’ Quraishi, who served as Chief Election Commissioner from 2010 to 2012, noted that voter turnout data is logged in real-time, suggesting the disparity in numbers is "troubling."
Explaining the voting record-keeping process, Quraishi said, "This definitely concerns me. These figures are updated in real-time. When we go to vote, Form 17A is used by the presiding officer to log our attendance. At the end of the day, Form 17C is filled to record the entire day's events. Only after this form is completed and signed by candidate agents can the presiding officer go home."
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Quraishi Raises Concerns
The number of votes cast at each polling station is recorded in Form 17C. Quraishi further commented, "This is data prepared in real-time from that very day. How it changes the next day is beyond my comprehension."
The former CEC emphasized that the Election Commission should provide an explanation on this matter, stating, "As doubt spreads across the nation, if it takes root in everyone's minds, trust in the entire system may erode."
Court Dismisses Petition
During the May 2024 Lok Sabha elections, similar concerns were raised by the opposition, citing discrepancies of 5-6% between early and final polling data. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) petitioned the Supreme Court to mandate the release of polling booth-wise voter turnout data within 48 hours of each voting phase.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed this request, citing practical challenges. The Election Commission argued that such disclosures could lead to logistical difficulties.
