An article published by The Wire on alleged mismatches between the votes polled and votes counted during the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 has raised eyebrows for its inaccuracies and misrepresentation of facts. The report claims that constituencies like Ashti and Osmanabad showed significant discrepancies, with “additional” votes counted beyond the polled turnout figures. The article says, “The greatest discrepancies were noted in the Ashti constituency, where 4,538 more votes were counted than polled, and in the Osmanabad constituency, where the difference was 4,155 votes.”
However, a closer examination of the Election Commission of India (ECI) data debunks this claim.
What The Wire Reported
The Wire alleges that the number of votes counted exceeded the voter turnout in Ashti and Osmanabad constituencies, citing discrepancies of 4,538 and 4,155 votes respectively. The article goes on to suggest that these mismatches reflect broader systemic issues and calls for increased transparency in the electoral process.
Postal Ballots Explain Numbers
The so-called “discrepancies” in Ashti and Osmanabad are easily explained by the inclusion of postal votes, which The Wire completely ignored in its analysis.
Ashti Constituency
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- Votes Polled (ECI Turnout Data): Matches the total EVM votes recorded during polling.
- Additional Votes Claimed by The Wire: These are postal ballots, which are counted separately and added to the final tally.
Hi Siddharth, Ashti & Osmanabad the result data EVM count is exactly the same as the turnout numbers, the 'additional' votes cited by your reporter correspond to the postal votes in these constituencies. pic.twitter.com/E0bFdMCww8
— शेखर एक ् (@zSVkB1RMQYqtVVj) November 26, 2024
Osmanabad Constituency
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- Votes Polled (ECI Turnout Data): Again matches the total EVM votes.
- Difference Claimed by The Wire: Also explained by postal votes, which are part of the legally mandated vote count.
— शेखर एक ् (@zSVkB1RMQYqtVVj) November 26, 2024
By failing to account for postal votes, The Wire has misrepresented the data as discrepancies, misleading its readers and potentially eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
Postal Votes
Postal votes are ballots cast by eligible voters unable to attend polling stations, such as government employees on election duty, armed forces personnel, and certain categories of absentee voters. These votes are counted alongside EVM votes to arrive at the final result. Their inclusion is neither unusual nor problematic but a routine aspect of every election in India.
By neglecting to factor in postal ballots, The Wire has published an article riddled with inaccuracies, fueling unwarranted doubts about the integrity of the electoral process. This undermines trust in the democratic system, particularly at a time when transparency and faith in institutions are paramount.
The Election Commission of India has consistently maintained transparency in its procedures. Detailed vote count data, including postal votes, is made available to candidates and their representatives. Misinterpreting or selectively presenting this data, as seen in The Wire’s report, does a disservice to public discourse.
The claims made by The Wire about vote discrepancies in Maharashtra’s Ashti and Osmanabad constituencies are demonstrably false. The “additional votes” highlighted by the publication correspond to postal ballots, which are a routine and transparent component of India’s electoral process.
In its eagerness to allege systemic issues, The Wire has overlooked basic facts, casting unwarranted doubt on the integrity of the elections. Responsible journalism demands better—accuracy, thoroughness, and a commitment to truth. The Election Commission of India deserves scrutiny, but such scrutiny must be rooted in facts, not baseless speculation and necessary action must be taken against The Wire for trying to mainstream lies.
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