SC Questions EC Over Post-Poll Rise in Voting Percentage

The Supreme Court on Friday called for the Election's (EC) response to a plea by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). ADR voiced concerns over the potential swapping of electronic voting machines (EVMs after noting a significant jump in the final voting percentages days post-polling. The Court, led by CJI D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, set May 24 as the date for a hearing. This session will occur during the court's summer recess starting Monday. ADR's plea includes a request for the EC to release voting data within two days after polls close.

The Supreme Court previously dismissed ADR's appeal for reverting to paper ballots on April 26, dispelling suspicions about EVM reliability. Despite this, ADR has brought forth new doubts concerning the electoral process's integrity. EC's counsel, senior advocate Maninder Singh, defended the Commission, stating senior officials had comprehensively addressed these concerns. The Court rebuffed claims of biased treatment towards ADR's counsel Prashant Bhushan, stressing impartiality in addressing issues brought before it.

Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta had earlier affirmed the trustworthiness of EVMs, highlighting their simplicity, security, and the addition of the VVPAT system, which strengthens vote verification. They detailed the Form 17C process, crucial for confirming votes cast, ensuring transparency to polling agents.

ADR's application was spurred by letters from Congress, TMC, and CPM to the EC, lamenting the delayed release of final voter turnout data for the first two phases of the ongoing elections. The data, when finally released, showed a notable increase of about 5-6% from initial estimates provided on polling day. ADR criticized the delay and the significant revision in voter turnout figures, arguing it bred suspicion and concern over the data's accuracy. They have urged the EC to publish the authenticated figures for votes polled at each station within 48 hours of polling, to maintain voter confidence and ensure transparency.

Addressing the delay in data release, the EC counsel mentioned the need to gather extensive data as the reason for the time taken. The controversy over the accuracy and timing of voter turnout data underscores the importance of transparency in the electoral process to maintain public trust.