Mallikarjun Kharge writes to INDIA bloc leaders over alleged discrepancies in voter turnout | India News - Times of India

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NEW DELHI: Congress chief

Mallikarjun Kharge

on Tuesday expressed concerns regarding the alleged discrepancies in the voting data released by the

Election Commission of India

.

In a letter addressed to

Sharad Pawar

, Kharge questioned the delay in the release of the final voting percentages for the first and second phases of the

Lok Sabha elections

, suggesting that such instances raise doubts about the quality of data released by the poll panel.

Kharge asked, "On April 30, the Election Commission released the final voter turnout data for the first 2 phases of elections for the 2024 Lok Sabha. The data was released 11 days after the first phase of polling (19th April 2024) and 4 days after the Second Phase (26th April 2024). In this regard our first question for the Election Commission is - Why did the Commission delay the release of voter turnout data?"

He further questioned why the Commission failed to provide any clarification to justify the delay.

The Congress chief pointed out the discrepancies in the voter turnout data, stating, "Now for the First Phase (102 Seats), the Commission said that as on 7pm on 19.04.2024, the estimated voter turnout was around 60%, while similarly for the Second Phase (88 Seats), the estimated voter turnout was around 60.96 % [All these figures were widely reported in the media]. Why is it that on 20.04.2024, the Commission's projected voter turnout for the First Phase was increased to 65.5% and on 27.04.2024, for the Second Phase the voter turnout data was to 66.7%. Finally on 30.04.2024, the figures were confirmed at 66.14% for the First Phase and 66.71% for the Second Phase?"

He questioned the nearly 5.5% increase in the final voter turnout for the first phase from the date of conclusion of voting to the delayed release of voter turnout data.

Kharge urged the bloc leaders to collectively, unitedly, and unequivocally raise their voices against discrepancies, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding democracy and protecting the independent functioning of the Election Commission of India.

He raised concerns about the possibility of an attempt to manipulate the final results, stating, "We all know how PM Modi and the BJP are visibly flustered and frustrated by the voting trends and their receding electoral fortunes in the first two phases. The entire nation knows that an autocratic regime, drunk with power, can go to any extent to stay in the chair."

Voting is under way in 93 constituencies across 12 states and Union territories on Tuesday in the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.