Supreme Court Directs Petitioners To Submit Memorandum To Election Commission

The Supreme Court has directed petitioners to submit a memorandum to the Election Commission within the next 10 days regarding their petition seeking an order for the Commission to issue Form 17C.

The Court has instructed the Election Commission to make a decision on the memorandum within the same time frame. The Court will revisit the matter on July 28.

Petition Seeks Transparency In Voter Turnout Data

The petitioners, including the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, have raised concerns about discrepancies in voter turnout data, specifically related to Form 17C.

This form, filled out by the presiding officer on polling day, records voter turnout at each polling station within a constituency.

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ADR’s petition demands that the Election Commission upload the record of Form 17C on its website within 48 hours after voting concludes.

The petitioners seek certified, scanned copies of Form 17C, detailing booth-wise vote counts after each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Details Of Form 17C And Its Importance

Form 17C is a crucial document containing comprehensive voter data at polling stations across India.

The form records the number of voters allocated to each station, the total number of registered voters, those who chose not to vote, individuals who were disqualified from voting, and the total votes captured on the electronic voting machines.

It also includes details about ballot papers, paper seals, and the total number of votes cast at the booth.

The second section of Form 17C provides the names of the candidates and the total number of votes they received, allowing for transparency in the election process.

Election Commission’s Response

During the hearing, senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the Election Commission, informed the Court of the appointment of a new Election Commissioner.

Singh also suggested that petitioners meet the new Commissioner to address their concerns and resolve any grievances.

The Supreme Court’s intervention in this case underscores its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process, particularly concerning the accuracy of voter turnout data.

The matter is set to be heard again on July 28.