New Delhi [India]: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi has dismissed allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, who claimed that the Election Commission (EC) had failed to provide booth-wise voting data for assembly constituencies.
In a statement issued on Friday, the poll body reaffirmed that the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, had been followed in letter and spirit at every polling station during the elections.
Election Commission Cites Rule 49S to Counter AAP’s Claims
Responding to Kejriwal’s allegations, the Delhi CEO’s office clarified that polling agents were duly provided with Form 17C, which records the number of votes polled at each booth.
“As per Rule 49S of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, all Presiding Officers had furnished the account of votes recorded in Form 17C to every Polling Agent present at the polling station on the day of the poll, February 5, 2025,” the statement read.
Kejriwal Accuses EC of Withholding Booth-Wise Voting Data
Earlier in the day, Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the Election Commission of refusing to upload Form 17C, which contains the total number of votes polled per booth.
“EC has refused to upload Form 17C and the number of votes polled per booth in each assembly, despite several requests. Aam Aadmi Party has now created a website where we have uploaded all Form 17Cs of every assembly,” Kejriwal posted on social media.
What Does Rule 49S of the Conduct of Election Rules Say?
According to Rule 49S(1) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, the Presiding Officer must prepare an account of votes recorded in Form 17C and enclose it in a sealed cover.
Rule 49S(2) further mandates that the Presiding Officer shall furnish a true copy of Form 17C to every polling agent present at the close of polling and obtain a receipt for the same.
The EC’s response comes amid rising tensions between the AAP and the poll body, with the party demanding greater transparency in the electoral process.