New Delhi, May 24: The Supreme Court on Friday declined an NGO’s request to direct the Election Commission (EC) to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The court cited logistical challenges in mobilizing the necessary manpower at this stage of the election process.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma noted that with five phases of polling already completed and two remaining, it would be impractical to issue such a directive at this time. The court decided to adjourn the interlocutory application filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and schedule it for hearing before a regular bench after the elections.
The bench pointed out that the prayers in the application appeared to be similar to those in the main petition, which has been pending since 2019. “Granting any relief in the interim application will amount to granting relief in the main petition which is pending,” the bench stated.
Previously, on May 17, the Supreme Court had requested a response from the Election Commission within a week regarding the NGO’s plea. The ADR had sought a direction for the EC to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
In its interim application, the ADR also requested that “scanned legible copies of Form 17C Part-I (Account of Votes Recorded)” from all polling stations be uploaded immediately after the polls. Form 17C Part-I contains detailed accounts of votes recorded at each polling station.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to grant immediate relief highlights the logistical complexities and timing challenges faced by the Election Commission during the extensive election process. The ADR’s primary petition, which remains pending, seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the electoral process by ensuring timely access to detailed polling data.
The Election Commission has yet to provide a formal response to the Supreme Court regarding the NGO’s plea. The court’s decision to address the matter after the conclusion of the elections suggests that a more comprehensive review of the issue will be undertaken at a later date.
The ongoing Lok Sabha elections, which have spanned several phases, are a massive logistical undertaking involving millions of voters and thousands of polling stations across the country. Ensuring transparency and accuracy in voter turnout data is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. However, the Supreme Court’s latest decision underscores the challenges involved in implementing such measures in real-time during an active election period.
The ADR continues to advocate for greater transparency in the electoral process, and its petition remains a significant case for the future of election monitoring and data accessibility in India. The outcome of this case could potentially set new standards for how election data is managed and disseminated in the country.
