Mukesh Nayak, the media in-charge of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, has expressed skepticism regarding the reported increase in final voting percentages during the initial phases of the Lok Sabha polls. Nayak highlighted a notable six-percentage-point variance between the provisional figures and the precise figures provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In a statement, Nayak emphasized that such a delay in releasing the exact voting percentages had never been witnessed in the history of Indian elections. He called for clarification from the ECI regarding this discrepancy.
Nayak pointed out that historically, the ECI had promptly provided precise figures within one to one and a half days after releasing provisional data. However, this time, the exact figures were made available ten days later, resulting in a substantial difference.
Initially, provisional figures indicated a voter turnout of 60 percent in the first phase and 61 percent in the second phase. However, when the ECI released exact figures after a 10-day delay, the percentages rose to 66.14 percent and 66.76 percent for the respective phases, according to Nayak.
Highlighting the unprecedented nature of the six-percentage-point difference, Nayak stressed that the ECI’s decision not to disclose the total votes cast further fueled suspicions.
The delay and disparity in voting percentages have raised concerns, prompting calls for the ECI to address the matter through a press conference, Nayak concluded.
The Election Commission of India disclosed the precise figures for the initial two phases of the Lok Sabha polls on April 30. The first phase, comprising 102 seats, took place on April 19, while the second phase, covering 88 parliamentary seats, occurred on April 26 across the nation.
