The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
92 LS poll petitions filed in 2024, down from 138 in 2019
A TOTAL of 92 election petitions challenging the outcome of 2024 elections were filed in 79 Lok Sabha constituencies, down from 138 petitions filed in 2019, as per Election Commission sources.
A citizens’ group Vote for Democracy had recently said in its report that there had been a jump of nearly 5 crore votes from turnout figures reported from 7 pm8.45 pm on polling days and final figures EC released. It said the EC had not “been forthcoming with any credible reasons for the hike”.
On Sunday, the EC, without naming anyone, said on X, “False campaigns are being run by some ( other than candidates) in furtherance of design to discredit largest elections ever held in the history of mankind in the most transparent manner involving candidates/ stakeholders at every stage of elections.”
“Unfounded attempts are made to compare approx turnout fig at 7 pm on poll day ( when many PS might be closing poll &/ or voters waiting in queue) with ‘ End of Poll’ turnout available a day after poll day. Electoral data & outcomes are strictly as per statutory forms & procedures u/ RPA [ Representation of the People Act],” EC said.
According to EC sources, states had reported 92 petitions filed in various HCS so far.
“While legitimate means to challenge an electoral outcome by a candidate or elector is through an Election Petition u/ RPA 1951, no EP is reportedly filed on such grounds. A lesser number of EPS have been reportedly filed in 79 PCS in GE 2024 as against 138 EPS in GE 2019,” the EC said in another post on X.
Congress leader Pawan Khera had called for an EC clarification on the report.
On July 27 in a post on X, Khera said: “… If the report is incorrect, @ ECISVEEP must clarify its stance on it and restore the faltering faith of the people in the democratic process. But if what is said in the report is true, then the political history of Indian democracy is seeing its turning point.”
Another Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit had said Saturday that the report had “raised suspicions” and that the EC should respond.
Faced with questions about the delayed release of turnout data during polls, the EC in a press release on May 25 had said voter turnout data was shared with candidates through their polling agents in the form of Form 17C, a statutory requirement under the RP Act, and to the general public through its Voter Turnout App.