NEW DELHI: Speaking on the recent Supreme Court decision to decline directions on the Election Commission’s (EC) handling of Form 17C data and booth-wise voter turnout, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said that there is need to clear doubts and suspicions about electoral processes, after casting his vote at a polling booth in Delhi.
“They have acknowledged the truth.An attempt is made to create an atmosphere of doubt. We will discuss this with everyone one day for sure,” Kumar said.
Kumar committed to addressing concerns about the electoral process’s integrity, saying, “We will reveal why doubts are created and suspicions raised. We will show how people are misled and how doubts about EVMs and voting lists arise. The Supreme Court has given its answer, but we will also provide our answer.”
The SC on Friday declined to pass directions on a plea seeking the uploading of Form 17C data on the Election Commission of India website and publication of booth-wise voter turnout data. Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma refused interim relief to petitioners, stating they could not interrupt the polls.
Previously, the ECI filed an affidavit stating that voter turnout data based on Form 17C would cause confusion as it includes postal ballot counts.
Kumar shared his personal experience of voting with his 95-year-old father, wife, and daughter, highlighting the importance of voting for every citizen. He reflected on his first voting experience with his father and noted that it was a matter of pride to have three generations voting together. He encouraged every voter, especially the youth, to participate in the electoral process.
Kumar also commended the enthusiasm and turnout observed during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He acknowledged the good turnout despite the heat and mentioned the enthusiasm seen in the first five phases. Kumar highlighted the use of many languages in the elections and appreciated the arrangements made by the EC, including fans, doctors, and drinking water, which received positive feedback from every state.
58 constituencies from six states and two union territories in the sixth phase of polling, with over 11.13 crore voters deciding the fate of 889 candidates, including former chief ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Mehbooba Mufti are voting on May 25.
The sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls includes eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana, one seat in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Jharkhand, all seven seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and eight in West Bengal. Forty-two assembly constituencies in Odisha are also voting in this phase. Assembly elections are being held simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections in the state.
(With agency inputs)
“They have acknowledged the truth.An attempt is made to create an atmosphere of doubt. We will discuss this with everyone one day for sure,” Kumar said.
Kumar committed to addressing concerns about the electoral process’s integrity, saying, “We will reveal why doubts are created and suspicions raised. We will show how people are misled and how doubts about EVMs and voting lists arise. The Supreme Court has given its answer, but we will also provide our answer.”
The SC on Friday declined to pass directions on a plea seeking the uploading of Form 17C data on the Election Commission of India website and publication of booth-wise voter turnout data. Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma refused interim relief to petitioners, stating they could not interrupt the polls.
Previously, the ECI filed an affidavit stating that voter turnout data based on Form 17C would cause confusion as it includes postal ballot counts.
Kumar shared his personal experience of voting with his 95-year-old father, wife, and daughter, highlighting the importance of voting for every citizen. He reflected on his first voting experience with his father and noted that it was a matter of pride to have three generations voting together. He encouraged every voter, especially the youth, to participate in the electoral process.
Kumar also commended the enthusiasm and turnout observed during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He acknowledged the good turnout despite the heat and mentioned the enthusiasm seen in the first five phases. Kumar highlighted the use of many languages in the elections and appreciated the arrangements made by the EC, including fans, doctors, and drinking water, which received positive feedback from every state.
58 constituencies from six states and two union territories in the sixth phase of polling, with over 11.13 crore voters deciding the fate of 889 candidates, including former chief ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Mehbooba Mufti are voting on May 25.
The sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls includes eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana, one seat in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Jharkhand, all seven seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and eight in West Bengal. Forty-two assembly constituencies in Odisha are also voting in this phase. Assembly elections are being held simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections in the state.
(With agency inputs)
