New Delhi: An analysis of voter data from the recently concluded Maharashtra assembly elections 2024 reveals a mismatch between the votes counted and the votes polled in 95 constituencies out of a total of 288.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the final voter turnout was 66.05%, representing 64,088,195 total votes polled (30,649,318 female; 33,437,057 male; 1820 others). If we add the total number of postal votes, that is, 5,38,225 the figure comes to 64,626,420. However, the sum of the total votes counted is 64,592,508, which is 33,912 less.
While in 19 constituencies the votes counted were more than the sum of votes polled and postal votes, in the remaining 76 the votes counted were less. The highest discrepancies were noted in Loha constituency where 154 more votes were counted, while in Nipad constituency, 2,587 less votes were counted.
These discrepancies are reminiscent of concerns raised during the May 2024 Lok Sabha elections regarding voter turnout data and Form 17C, which records the number of votes polled at each polling station. At that time, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) petitioned the Supreme Court for the release of polling station-wise voter turnout data within 48 hours of each polling phase, citing discrepancies of 5-6% between initial and final turnout figures.
However, the Supreme Court declined the request, citing practical challenges and the ECI’s arguments that such disclosures could pose logistical difficulties, raise concerns about data misuse, and lacked a clear statutory basis. The ECI maintained that Form 17C data is provided to candidates’ agents but is not intended for public dissemination.
Yesterday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi had pointed to discrepancies and called for the ECI to explain the numbers.
The Wire has approached the ECI seeking clarification and will update the copy when they respond. A note from the EC on earlier figures in this article – which had not considered postal votes – is below.
The current discrepancies in the Maharashtra assembly elections bring renewed focus on the importance of data transparency and accuracy in the electoral process. While the ECI attributed previous discrepancies to the process of updating and reconciling data, the persistence of such mismatches raises questions about the robustness of data collection and verification methods. The absence of publicly available, granular polling station data, as highlighted by the ADR’s previous petition regarding Form 17C, makes it challenging to independently verify the accuracy of the overall vote counts and address public queries.
Also read: 48 Assembly Seats, 2 Parliament Constituencies: All You Need to Know About the By-Poll Results
These numbers do not reveal any pattern of the differences in votes polled and being counted, being linked to which party eventually won the election.
Let’s consider Maval constituency where 2,012 votes do not reflect in the final votes counted. Votes polled here on November 20 were 2,80,319 and the postal votes were 774 which adds up to 2,81,093 votes. However, according to the results published by the ECI, the total votes counted were 2,79,081 votes, a shortage of 2,012 votes.
Now, let’s consider Loha constituency where 154 more votes were counted. Here the votes polled on November 20 were 2,26,837 and the postal votes were 2,900 which adds up to 2,29,737. However, according to the results published by the ECI, the total votes counted in this seat were 2,29,891 votes, an excess of 154 votes.
Also read: Widen Your Reach but Narrow Your Ideology: Two Takeaways of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Results
While discrepancies can arise from various factors, including clerical errors, data entry issues, or technical malfunctions during the handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips, their presence highlights the importance of transparency and robust auditing procedures in electoral systems.
The ECI can enhance public confidence by proactively addressing these concerns, potentially releasing more granular data where feasible, and conducting thorough examinations into the reported discrepancies. Increased transparency and clear communication are essential for maintaining trust in the democratic process.
Editor’s Note:
An earlier version of this report did not account for the postal votes cast. The story was later updated with correct calculations. The initial error is regretted.
EC’s note:
Shortly after this piece was updated, the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Office issued a note to say that its correct factual position is as follows:
Total votes polled in all 288 Assembly constituencies in EVM in Maharashtra state is 6,40,88,195, which has been mischievously shown as total votes polled. The fact is that 5,38,225 valid postal ballots were not added in this figure. When we add the 5,38,225 valid postal ballots to the 6,40,88,195 votes polled in EVM; the total votes polled comes out to be 6,46,26,420. Total votes counted on the day of the counting including postal ballots is 6,45,92,508. Hence, the total votes counted are not more than total votes polled.
However, in few ACs the lesser number of votes were counted than the votes polled due to the following reasons and as per the established protocol:
a. The EVM counting is not taken up if Mock Poll Data was not cleared from the Control Unit of the Polling Station before actual start of Poll or If there is non-display of result in the display panel of Control Unit. or there was mismatch in data reported in Form 17C and votes recorded in EVM due to clerical or typing human error. In such cases, as the winning margin was higher than total votes polled in these Polling Stations, counting of VVPAT Slips of these Polling Stations was not done as per instructions contained in Para No.7(iv)(b) of ECIs letter dated 19.07.2023. Election Duty Certificates are issued to the Polling Officers on Poll Duty who are voters of the same Assembly Constituency but number of EDC (Election’ Duty Certificate) votes are not included while entering data.
4. Additionally, regarding 02 Assembly Constituencies, viz.231-Ashti and 242-Osmanabad ACs mentioned in your report where vote difference is alleged as 4538 and 4330, respectively are also misleading and irresponsible reporting.
The following details will clarify: –
1. AC 231 Ashti
(https://results.eci.gov.in/ResultAcGenNov2024/ConstituencywiseS13231.htm)
• Total EVM votes :282246
• Total Postal Vo t e s : 5013
• Total Rejected postal Votes : 475
• Total valid postal votes counted: 5013-475 = 4538
2. AC 242 Osmanabad
(https://results.eci.gov.in/ResultAcGenNov2024/ConstituencywiseS13242.htm )
• Total EVM votes : 238840
• Total Postal Votes : 4 3 3 0
• Total Rejected postal Votes : 175
• Total valid postal votes counted: 4330 – 175 = 4155