New Delhi,– The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a point-by-point rebuttal to allegations concerning the electoral process in Maharashtra, emphasizing factual data to address concerns raised, including those by the Indian National Congress (INC).

Responding to claims about voting hours and voter turnout, the ECI stated that out of 6,40,87,588 electors in Maharashtra Assembly elections, 58 lakh votes were polled per hour between 7 am and 6 pm. This average, the ECI highlighted, suggests that nearly 1.16 crore voters could have voted in the last two hours, indicating that the 65 lakh votes polled per hour were below average hourly voting trends.

Regarding the polling process, the ECI affirmed that voting progressed transparently in front of formally appointed polling agents. The Commission further noted that the INC’s nominees or their authorized agents did not raise any substantial allegations of abnormal voting at the time of scrutiny by the Returning Officer or Election Observers the following day.

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On the matter of Electoral Rolls in Maharashtra, the ECI clarified that these are prepared under the Representation of People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls is conducted annually, with a copy of the rolls provided to all national and state political parties, including the INC.

Addressing allegations regarding the finalization of Electoral Rolls, the ECI reported that out of 9,77,90,152 electors, only 89 appeals were filed against 1st appellate authority decisions. Only one appeal proceeded to the 2nd appellate authority (CEO). The ECI concluded that there was no substantive grievance from the INC or other political parties on this matter during the conduct of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections in 2024.

Furthermore, the ECI detailed the revision of Electoral Rolls involved 1,00,427 Polling Booths, with 97,325 Booth Level Officers appointed by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and 1,03,727 Booth Level Agents, with 27,099 appointed by the INC. The Commission reiterated that allegations against the Maharashtra Electoral Rolls are subject to the rule of law.

The ECI concluded by stating that it had brought all these facts to the INC’s attention on December 24, 2024, an official communication which is also available on the ECI’s website. The Commission expressed that these facts fully address the issues being raised.