Home » News » Opposition Leaders Question Ec Over Not Releasing Polling Data Cite Possible Manipulation

Opposition leaders question EC over not releasing polling data; cite possible manipulation

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that till 2014 — before the BJP assumed power at the Centre — such data was readily available.

BySouth First Desk

Published Apr 30, 2024 | 4:55 PM ⚊UpdatedApr 30, 2024 | 5:01 PM

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury. (X)

Citing a news report saying the Election Commission (EC) has not yet released the polling data of the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections, CPI(M) secretary-general Sitaram Yechury and NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule on Tuesday, 30 April, demanded the data be released immediately.

The Opposition leaders sought to ensure transparency in the elections and said this could lead to a fabrication of the election results.

The EC has not officially confirmed when the data will be available.

Also Read: JD(S) suspends Prajwal Revanna over alleged sexual assault of several women

Suspects possible manipulation

Yechury said that till 2014 — before the BJP assumed power at the Centre — such data was readily available.

“This is very disturbing. Raises serious apprehensions on manipulation of results. ECI has not disclosed the final polling figures of the first two phases. Only approximate polling percentages are put out. Total voters registered in a parliamentary constituency are not on ECI website. Percentages announced are, hence, meaningless and misleading,” Yechury said in a post on X.

“This opens many doors for manipulating the results by fabricating numbers. Till 2014, such data was readily available. ECI must put out this data immediately to restore voters’ confidence,” he added.

This is very disturbing.
Raises serious apprehensions on manipulation of results.
ECI has not disclosed the final poling figures of the first two phases. Only approximate polling percentages are put out.
Total voters registered in a parliamentary constituency are not on ECI… pic.twitter.com/8Qx42R5Bx0

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 30, 2024

Also Read: Ensure uninterrupted CCTV coverage of strongrooms: DMK to EC

‘Integrity of our electoral process in question’

Sule said in a post on X that the integrity of the electoral process and the foundation of democracy are under question.

“It’s time for the Election Commission to withstand undue pressure, assert its authority, ensure transparency, and uphold the principles of fairness and accountability in these elections,” she said.

“It’s been more than ten days since the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on 19 April, yet the Election Commission has failed to officially disclose the final polling figures. Similarly, for the second phase on 26 April, the EC has not yet released the final figures. Additionally, there is a glaring absence of data on the EC website regarding the number of registered voters in each parliamentary constituency,” she added.

Accusing the BJP of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the EC of not taking any action, she said: “The Lok Sabha elections are unfolding with alarming and seemingly intended casualness, while everyday the MCC is made a mockery of by BJP leaders. BJP has been freely spewed unprecedented hateful rhetoric against different sections of societies, unchecked by the Election Commission.”

It's been more than 10 days since the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19, yet the Election Commission has failed to officially disclose the final polling figures. Similarly, for the second phase on April 26, the EC has not yet released the final figures. Additionally,… pic.twitter.com/ldcaSEu9Q5

— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) April 30, 2024