Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Turnouts, delays, Form 17C

• ECI has rejected allegations that the declaration of final voter turnouts have been unfairly delayed.

Key Highlights:

• As per the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, there are two forms that have data on the number of electors and voters — Forms 17A and 17C.
• The former 17A is a register of voters, in which polling officials record the details of every voter who comes into the booth and signs the register. 17C is the account of the votes recorded.
• Form 17C is issued to the polling agents of candidates at the close of polling.
• It has the identification numbers:
  • Of the EVMs used in the polling station;
  • The total number of electors assigned to the polling station;
  • The total number of voters as entered in the register for voters (Form 17A);
  • The number of voters who decided not to record their votes after signing the register;
  • The number of voters who were not allowed to vote;
  • And total number of votes recorded per EVM.
• The data in Form 17C are considered final, and lie at the heart of any Election Petition that may be filed challenging the result.
• The number of electors and those who cast their votes as recorded in Form 17C can be matched with the EVM count.

Prelims Takeaway:

• RPA,1951
• EVM