Form 17C, mandated by the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, plays a crucial role in verifying election details in India. This form captures crucial information from each polling booth, including the number of votes cast and the number of voters who participated. Candidates use this data to cross-check the results during counting, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.
On May 25, the Election Commission (ECI) released voting data for the first five phases of the Lok Sabha elections, along with a strong statement refuting allegations of electoral malpractice. The ECI asserted that there is a pattern of creating false narratives and malicious designs to undermine the electoral process, and that any alteration in the number of votes polled is impossible.
The Election Commission (EC) has refused to provide voter turnout data to any person other than electoral candidates or their agents, citing a lack of legal mandate. This decision came in response to an application filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which sought to disclose authenticated records of voter turnout by uploading scanned copies of Form 17C on the EC website after each phase of polling in the General Elections 2024.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) faces scrutiny over delays in releasing voter turnout data and significant discrepancies between initial and final figures. The NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has filed a petition seeking the upload of scanned copies of Form 17C, which contains crucial voting information, within 48 hours of polling. The ECI claims no legal obligation to disclose such data but faces allegations of a lack of transparency. Experts and opposition leaders express concerns about the authenticity of polling data, highlighting the absence of polling agents in many booths and the need for public access to Form 17C information.
