New Delhi: Transparency activists, lawyers, and retired civil servants have written to the Election Commission of India demanding proactive disclosure of Part-I of form 17 C on the website of the ECI.Expressing concern regarding the large fluctuation in figures of voter turnout in the first two phases of the ongoing general elections, the signatories urged the ECI to immediately disclose the authenticated record of voter turnout as contained in Part I of Form 17C of every polling station where voting took place in the first three phases.To enhance transparency and public trust in the electoral process, they demanded that for the remaining phases, this information be publicly displayed on the ECI website within 48 hours of the close of polls.Please see full text of letter below.May 9, 2024ToChief Election Commissioner & Election CommissionersElection Commission of IndiaDear Sirs,Subject- Proactive disclosure of Part I of Form 17C to put to rest doubts regarding fluctuation infigures of votes polledWe are writing to flag our concerns arising from the large fluctuation in figures of voter turnout in the first two phases of the ongoing general elections and to urge the Election Commission of India to immediately disclose through its website, the authenticated record of voter turnout as contained in Part I of Form 17C. As per Rule 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, at the close of polling, the presiding officer has to prepare an account of votes recorded in Part I of Form 17C and also furnish an authenticated copy of this to every polling agent.For the first phase of elections, the ECI in its press note on the day of polling (19.4.2024) stated that as of 7 pm, the estimated voter turnout was over 60%. The voter turnout data published 11 days later by ECI on April 30th, provided a figure of 66.14%- a jump of more than 6%. Similarly, for the second phase, the press note on the day of polling (26.4.2024) stated that the approximate voter turnout was 60.96% as of 7 pm, which was subsequently revised to 66.71% in the press note of April 30, 2024. The inordinate delay in the release of voter turnout, coupled with the unusually high revision (of nearly 6%) sans any explanation in the ECI’s press note of April 30th, has raised concerns and doubts among people about the voter turnout figures.Public trust in the electoral process is key to ensure robust functioning of our democracy. We, therefore, urge the ECI to immediately upload on the Commission’s website a scanned legible copy of Part I of Form 17C (Account of Votes Recorded) of every polling station where voting took place in the first three phases. Further, for the remaining phases, this information must be publicly displayed on the ECI website within 48 hours of the close of polls.In addition to uploading a scanned copy of the forms, a tabulation of the constituency and polling station wise figures of voter turnout in absolute numbers must also be publicly displayed on the ECI website.We hope the ECI will take cognisance of this important issue and urgently take appropriate steps, as outlined above, to enhance transparency and voter confidence in the electoral process.Thank you,1. Anjali Bhardwaj, Transparency activist2. Prashant Bhushan, Lawyer & activist3. MG Devasahayam, IAS (Retd.) & Coordinator, Citizens Commission on Elections initiative4. Yogendra Yadav, Swaraj Abhiyan5. Vrinda Grover, Lawyer and human rights activist6. Shailesh Gandhi, Former Central Information Commissioner7. Pamela Philipose, Journalist8. Sundar Burra, IAS (Retd.)9. Deb Mukharji, IFS (Retd.)10. Ashok Sharma, IFS (Retd.)11. Aditi Mehta, IAS (Retd.)12. Jayati Ghosh, Economist13. Vipul Mudgal, Common Cause14. Sanjay Jha, Author15. Shabnam Hashmi, Anhad16. Amrita Johri, RTI Activist17. Feroze Mithiborwala, Social Activist18. Umakant Lakhera, Former President, Press Club of India
