Form 17C: The Significance of a Vital Electoral Document
The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Rajiv Kumar, highlighted the importance of Form 17C in the robust counting process scheduled for June 4, 2024. Form 17C, mandated by the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, is a critical document that serves as a comprehensive record of polling details at each booth.
Part I of the form captures crucial information such as the unique ID number of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the total number of voters listed at a particular booth, and the number of voters who actually cast their votes. It also records the number of test votes and the total votes registered in the EVM.
Part II of Form 17C is used to document the election results. It requires the signatures of each candidate or their representative, ensuring that the results are authenticated and agreed upon by all parties involved.
Candidates use the data in Form 17C to cross-check the information provided during counting, such as the EVM ID number and the number of votes cast per polling station. Any discrepancy between the data in Form 17C and the counting center records can lead to challenges and petitions in the high court.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), emphasizing the importance of public access to electoral data, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting that the Election Commission (EC) publish Form 17C data on its website within 48 hours of each phase of polling.
The Election Commission has clarified that it is not legally obligated to make the total number of votes cast at each polling station public. However, copies of Form 17C are shared with polling agents, ensuring that candidates’ representatives have access to this critical information.
Form 17C serves as a thorough record, providing polling agents with essential information, guaranteeing transparency and accuracy in the electoral process in India.
