ECI To SC Over Booth-Wise Voter Data: New CEC Open To Address Concerns

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra to submit a representation, over their petition, to the Election Commisssion of India within 10 days.

The court bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice KV Viswanathan was hearing the plea seeking disclosure of Form 17C which records the number of votes cast and voter turnout at polling stations.

The bench noted that the ECI is required to grant a hearing to the petitioner and inform them in advance about the hearing.

Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the ECI stated that a new Chief Election Commissioner has taken charge and suggested the petitioner to meet him for redressal.

The top court directed the matter be listed in the week commencing July 28.

May 2024: Plea has been filed in response to the controversy over the significant rise in the final voter turnout figures announced by the ECI for the first two phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, compared to the initial estimates released on voting day.