The Election Commission (EC) of Delhi, on the evening of the 9th of February, released the voter turnout data for the Delhi Assembly elections. The EC released the data after a delay of 24 hours, when it was to be released on the same day the elections were conducted, that is, on the 8th of February.
On the 9th of February, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, lashed out at the EC of Delhi for delaying the release of the final voter turnout data in Delhi.
Mr. Kejriwal, the President of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP,) said, “Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?”
Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and alleged the EC of voter fraud and tampering with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs.) In a situation where a majority of Delhi’s citizens are protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) the delay in the release of voter turnout data led to criticism against the ruling Central Government and the EC for not being equal.
The BJP and the EC of Delhi were alleged of misusing their power and tampering with the EVMs in Delhi. At many places, there were reports the EVMs were taken illegally to tamper with the votes. However, the EC officers denied the allegations.
When Arvind Kejriwal and its Party members lashed out at the EC, the Election Commission, on the late evening of the 9th of February, released the voter turnout data. According to the EC, only 62.59 % voters performed their franchise, 7 % less than what was reported after the previous elections, held in 2015.
Ranbir Singh, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi EC, said, “Accuracy is very important, it was taking time to collate the data.”
Meanwhile, if the exit polls are to be believed, the AAP is expected to win the elections with a majority and form the Government in Delhi for a second term.
However, an official announcement regarding the results of the Delhi Assembly elections is scheduled to be announced on the 11th of February.
