“False Campaign”: Election Commission Responds To Allegations On Discrepancy In Poll Data

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded to recent allegations, including those from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), concerning discrepancies in poll data from the latest Lok Sabha elections. The ECI stated that a “false campaign” is being orchestrated by some individuals, not candidates, with the intent to discredit the largest elections ever conducted. The Commission clarified that any comparison between approximate voter turnout figures at 7 PM on polling day and the final turnout data, available a day later, is misleading. The ECI emphasised that all electoral data and outcomes are strictly in accordance with statutory forms and procedures under the Representation of the People Act (RPA).

The Commission further noted that while candidates or electors have the legitimate means to challenge electoral outcomes through an Election Petition under the RPA 1951, no such petitions have reportedly been filed on these grounds. The ECI pointed out that the number of Election Petitions filed for the 2024 General Elections is lower than those filed in 2019, with 79 petitions in 2024 compared to 138 in 2019.

Earlier, the ADR had written to the Election Commission, demanding an explanation for the alleged discrepancies between the number of votes polled and counted in 538 constituencies. The ADR’s analysis claimed that 5,54,598 fewer votes were counted than polled in 362 constituencies, while 35,093 more votes were counted than polled in 176 constituencies. The ADR raised these concerns in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and other election officials, urging them to address the issue.