The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: A day after the Congress party submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India (ECI) raising concerns over alleged arbitrary deletion and addition of voters prior to the Maharashtra assembly elections, the ECI has invited the party on Saturday (November 30) for a discussion on the issue on Tuesday (December 3).
The poll body will meet a delegation of the Congress party to discuss concerns raised about voter data. In its memorandum, the Congress party had alleged “arbitrary deletion of voters and subsequent additions” and an “inexplicable increase” in voting percentages between 5 pm and the final figures released on polling day.
The ECI acknowledged the Congress party’s concerns and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free and fair elections, emphasising the importance of political parties as vital stakeholders in the electoral process. The commission stated that electoral rolls are prepared with the involvement of all parties and that the issues raised will be examined.
Also read: Congress Alleges Voter Fraud in Maharashtra Elections, Submits Memorandum to EC
“ECI has always accorded the highest attention, to the political parties, in particular, the National and State Recognized Parties, which it considers as the most vital stakeholders of the electoral democracy in India. The commission assures INC that it will make all efforts to address party’s all legitimate concerns,” the ECI said.
Regarding the discrepancy in voting percentage data, the ECI pointed out that it has previously addressed this issue, explaining that presiding officers have multiple statutory responsibilities at the close of polling, leading to a delay in data entry into the voter turnout app.
The ECI also noted that total votes polled at each booth are provided to agents of the candidates in form 17C part 1 at the end of polling, a figure that cannot be changed and contributes to the final turnout.
The meeting is scheduled for 5 pm on Tuesday at the ECI headquarters in New Delhi.