Election Commission of India's Stand on Disclosure of Booth-wise Votes

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is reconsidering its stance on disclosing the absolute numbers of booth-wise votes cast during elections.

Background and Current Developments

• In the previous general election, the ECI maintained that it had no legal obligation to disclose details from Form 17-C, which records the total number of electors and those who voted at each booth.
• Recently, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has shown openness to discussions regarding the publication of scanned copies of Form 17-C on the ECI website.
• The Supreme Court of India has directed stakeholders like Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) to present their case to the ECI.

Issues and Concerns

• The release of voter turnout details in 2024 led to speculation due to discrepancies between initially declared percentages and revised figures.
• This discrepancy is generally attributed to delays in data collation from distant booths.
• Petitioners argue that since Form 17-C is collected manually by booth agents, it should be possible to scan and upload the data within 48 hours.
• The main concern is that without absolute vote numbers, discrepancies in turnout percentages could undermine trust in the electoral process.

ECI's Response and the Need for Transparency

• The ECI's willingness to meet petitioners indicates a move towards resolving transparency concerns.
• There is a need for procedural improvements to enhance transparency and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
• Continuous reassessment of election procedures is essential to maintain public trust and reduce the time taken for data dissemination.