CPIM MP John Brittas Seeks Urgent Clarification from Election Commission on Alleged Discrepancies in Maharashtra Voter Turnout

(Judicial Quest News Network)

In an open letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), John Brittas, Member of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha, has called for immediate clarification on alleged discrepancies in voter turnout figures and post-poll adjustments in Maharashtra and other states. Brittas, who expressed his deep respect for the constitutional role of the ECI, voiced concerns over emerging reports of unusual patterns in voter turnout during the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, particularly in light of these allegations.

Recent reports indicated a significant increase in voter turnout in Maharashtra, with figures rising from 58.22% at 5:00 p.m. to 66.05% by the end of the day. This sudden surge of 7.83%, amounting to around 76 lakh additional voters, has raised questions regarding its logistical feasibility, particularly after the official voting time had concluded. While Brittas acknowledged the ECI’s mechanisms for ensuring accurate data, he pointed out that such a substantial post-closing increase was unusual and higher than historical norms, especially when compared to elections in other states like Jharkhand, where turnout increases were much smaller.

Brittas noted that such discrepancies could undermine public confidence in the electoral system, as analysts have drawn correlations between these surges in turnout and election outcomes favouring specific political parties in Maharashtra and Haryana. He called for the ECI to address these concerns transparently and clarify the situation to avoid further speculation.

The letter urges the Election Commission to issue a detailed explanation regarding the increased turnout in Maharashtra, including the procedural safeguards in place and the methodologies used to account for voters post-closing time. Brittas also requested the formation of an expert committee to review the logistical feasibility of post-closing voting and to ensure uniformity and transparency in voter turnout data across states.

With faith in the Election Commission’s impartiality, Brittas expressed hope that the matter would be handled with the utmost seriousness to safeguard the sanctity of India’s electoral process and reinforce public trust in the democratic system.