Lok Sabha election polling percentage; heat became villain to Election Commission's efforts

NEW DELHI: The polling percentage did not increase in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections despite the efforts of the Election Commission due to the scorching heat. The temperature in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Haryana and West Bengal is above 45 degrees Celsius. Many people hesitated to leave their homes because of this. In most of the constituencies in Delhi, voters reached the polling booths mostly in the morning and evening.

Polling was 61.2 percent in the sixth phase held on 25th in 57 constituencies in seven states including Delhi and Haryana and Anantnag Rajouri constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. The final figure may be much different.

The average turnout is 66.39 percent according to the constituency-wise figures for the first five phases released by the Election Commission. The Election Commission had conducted extensive campaigns seeing the low turnout in the first phases but it did not reflect in the sixth phase.

Polling count: Commission clarifies its position

Election Commission had released the constituency-wise figures for the first five phases to allay concerns over the release of polling data. The commission clarified that the polling percentage cannot be changed and the figures are released within the legal framework in a strict and transparent manner. The procedures are accurate, consistent and in accordance with the election rules from the very beginning. There was no discrepancy.

The total number of votes polled in a constituency can never be changed. It is available to all candidates. It was also clarified that the final polling figures are formed depending on the geographical feature of the area, the weather, taking into account the arrival time of officials and the number of repolls.