EC issues absolute number of voters for first 5 phases

New Delhi: The Election Commission India ( ECI) has released the absolute number of voters for the first five phases of the Lok Sabha elections, saying, "Nobody can change data of votes polled, shared on poll day."

The ECI issued a statement, a day after the Supreme Court adjourned petitions seeking release of booth-wise numbers of voter turnout on the ECI’s website within 48 hours of polling.

The poll panel said it has noted “the pattern of false narratives and mischievous design to vitiate the electoral process.”

It added that the voter turnout data was always available with candidates and 24x7 on Voter Turnout APP for citizens at large.

“The Commission feels duly strengthened by the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s observations and verdict on the process of release of turnout data by the Election Commission of India."

EC said, "This brings upon the Commission, a higher responsibility to serve the cause of electoral democracy with undeterred resolution,” the poll panel said, adding that the “process of collection and storage of votes polled is rigorous, transparent and participative."

The Poll body said it has decided to further expand the format of turnout data to include the absolute number of voters in every parliamentary constituency.

“The absolute numbers are discernable parliamentary constituency-wise by all citizens by applying the turnout percentage to total electors, both already made available in the public domain,” it said.