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New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) In a quick move to dispel growing speculation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday clarified that the data is not being released after the completion of the first phase of Bihar assembly elections.
There is also speculation about increase in the final voting percentage figures for the first phase of the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections.
The overall gender ratio (male/female) in voter turnout is usually given at the time of final voting.
Controversy erupted after opposition leaders and social media influencers questioned the ECI’s delay in releasing the final data.
Addressing specific concerns on gender parity in participation, ECI sources said the overall male-female voter ratio is generally disclosed only in the final report.
Provisional figures, which are often based on incomplete data, may distort perceptions.
“ECI always prefers accuracy rather than haste,” ECI sources said.
This is in line with the Commission’s decade-long effort for gender-balanced voting through targeted awareness campaigns in rural areas.
On security deployment, the ECI refuted allegations of biased policing, revealing that about 80 per cent of the force – more than 200 companies – was drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure neutrality.
The remaining 20 per cent came from State Armed Police (SAP) units drawn proportionately from 24 states, including Jharkhand, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka.
“No one state has dominance; availability and logistics guide the allocation,” ECI sources said.
This diverse mix of personnel, totaling more than 85,000, was praised for maintaining peace during the high-risk elections, with no major incidents recorded.
Observer impartiality was another focal point.
The Commission deployed more than 500 general, police and expenditure observers from across India, who were selected regardless of the ruling dispensation in their home states.
“Proportionality ensures checks and balances,” ECI sources said, refuting claims of bias in favor of the current NDA-led alliance.
Finally, on electronic security measures, the ECI confirmed uninterrupted CCTV surveillance in all 25 strong rooms containing EVMs.
“The efficiency is 100 per cent; any glitches – only 12 times – were rectified within a few hours,” ECI sources said.
The footage from these facilities, accessible to party agents, will be stored for 45 days as per protocol.
–IANS
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