New Delhi [India], May 7 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday wrote to the leaders of the INDIA bloc over the alleged discrepancies in the voting data released by the Election Commission (EC).
In his letter, Kharge 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".
The Congress president alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party are 'visibly flustered' and 'frustrated' 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 reads.
In a post on X, Kharge said, "On 30th April 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 (19th April 2024) and 4 days after the Second Phase (26th 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, the Commission 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, despite being repeatedly questioned by political parties as well as political activists? Is there an issue with the EVMs? Now for the First Phase (102 Seats), the Commission said that as on 7pm on 19.04.2024, the estimated voter turnout was around 60 per cent, while similarly for the Second Phase (88 Seats), the estimated voter turnout was around 60.96 per cent (All these figures were widely reported in the media). Why is it that on 20.04.2024, the Commission's projected voter turnout for the First Phase was increased to 65.5 per cent and on 27.04.2024, for the Second Phase the voter turnout data was to 66.7 per cent. Finally on 30.04.2024, the figures were confirmed at 66.14 per cent for the First Phase and 66.71 per cent for the Second Phase?"
He further said, "We ask the Commission - For First Phase, why is there a near increase of 5.5% in the final voter turnout from date of conclusion of voting (at 7pm on 19.04.2024) to the delayed release of voter turnout data (On 30.04.2024)? For Second Phase, there is a near increase of more than 5.74 per cent in the final voter turnout from the date of conclusion of voting (at 7pm on 26.04.2024) to the delayed release of data (On 30.04.2024)?"
"Apart from the delay, the voter turnout data released by the Commission does not mention crucial yet related figures, such as the votes polled in each Parliamentary Constituency and the respective assembly constituencies? If the voter turnout data was published within 24 hours of voting along with the crucial figures, then we would have known if the increase (of ~5%) had been witnessed across constituencies? Or only in constituencies where the ruling regime had not performed well in the 2019 elections?," he added in a post on X.
"To alleviate these doubts raised in the public domain, the Commission should have not only released the data per Parliamentary Constituency (and respective Assembly Constituencies) but it should have also released the voter turnout data in each polling station. In fact, with each polling station, Assembly Constituency and Parliamentary, should also mention/publish the complaints which may have been filed by the political party? (Specific in the context of Nagaland, Tripura etc. where issues are raised at Polling station level)," he added.
Meanwhile, he also appealed to people to vote, Kharge said on X, "Vote to save Constitution, vote to protect democracy. I sincerely urge you to choose Democracy, so that our institutions can return to their independent form and are not pressed under the thumb of brute power."
Voting is being held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union territories on Tuesday in the third phase of the parliamentary polls. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.