SDPI Demands Independent Judicial Probe into Electoral Discrepancies Reported in 51 Constituencies; Calls for Accountability and Transparency from ECI

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) expresses serious concern over the investigative report published by The Reporters’ Collective, which, citing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) internal records of the 2024 elections, has reported discrepancies between the number of votes recorded as cast and the votes counted in 32 constituencies across Maharashtra, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, while 19 other constituencies reportedly recorded zero or nil entries in the relevant voter-turnout records. These findings raise serious questions about the accuracy, integrity and transparency of electoral record-keeping. Elections are the foundation of constitutional democracy, and public confidence in the electoral process cannot be sustained through official assurances alone; it requires verifiable records, transparent procedures and institutional accountability. SDPI emphasises that these reported discrepancies must not be dismissed without a thorough explanation, nor should they be treated as conclusive evidence of electoral fraud without proper investigation.

SDPI demands an independent, time-bound judicial inquiry into all 51 constituencies, publication of relevant booth-level records, including Form 17A and Form 17C wherever legally permissible, and a constituency-wise explanation from the Election Commission of India addressing every reported discrepancy. The ECI must clarify whether these entries resulted from clerical or administrative errors, procedural lapses or any other irregularity, and fix accountability wherever negligence or misconduct is established. The Supreme Court should also consider the matter in the interest of protecting electoral transparency and constitutional democracy. The credibility of elections is not the property of any political party or institution; it belongs to the people of India. SDPI asserts that electoral transparency is non-negotiable, accountability is indispensable, and every vote must be protected through a fair, credible and verifiable democratic process.

Sitaram Khoiwal
National Vice President