The EC on Saturday disclosed the absolute number of votes polled in the first five phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. This tally does not include the postal ballots that are accepted till 8am on counting day.

Opposition parties had objected to merely making public the voter turnout percentages so far. The Supreme Court did not grant an immediate verdict on a plea by civil society groups for the Election Commission (EC) to upload polling station-wise votes cast, as recorded in Form 17C given to polling agents.

The EC explained on Saturday: “I. Final list of electors is given to candidates after the list of contesting candidates is finalised. II. Authorised agents of all candidates will have Form 17C across 543 PCs (polling centres), distinctively for each of approximately 10.5 lakh polling stations. III. The total number of votes polled in a constituency, as recorded in Form 17C, can never be changed even by anyone’s hypothetical mischief, as it is available with all contesting candidates."

It added: "IV. Agents of candidates are always allowed to accompany EVM and statutory papers, including Form 17C from the polling station to storage in a strong room as per Rule 49V(2) of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961. V. The candidate or his agents bring the copy of the Form 17C to the counting centre and compare it with the result in each round.”

The poll panel added that voter turnout data was available 24x7 on the Voter Turnout app from 9.30am on the polling day of each phase.

"It publishes estimated voter turnout on two hourly basis till 17.30 hours. After 19.00 hours when the polling parties start arriving, data is continuously updated. By midnight on the poll day, the Voter Turnout app will show the best estimated 'close of poll' data in percentage form…,” the EC said.

It added: "After the arrival of the poll parties, depending on geographical and weather conditions, the data of voters attains finality on P+1 or P+2 or P+3 or more days, depending upon arrival of parties and number of repolls, if any.”

With only a single phase of polling left (June 1) the Constitutional Conduct Group of retired senior bureaucrats said in an open statement: "In the event of a hung Parliament, onerous responsibilities will be placed upon the shoulders of the President of India. We are sure she will follow the established democratic precedent of first inviting the pre-poll alliance that garnered the largest number of seats. Also, that she would endeavour to preempt the possibilities of horse-trading."

The statement is signed by 102 former members of the IAS, Indian Foreign Service, IPS, Research and Analysis Service, Indian Forest Service and Indian Revenue Service.

They added: "During the 2024 general elections, concerns have been raised at many points about the fairness of the elections....It pains us to say that no Election Commission in the past has been as reluctant as the present one to discharge its duties, despite violations being repeatedly brought to its attention by responsible organisations and respected members of society. We hope they will not continue to show this disregard in the time that is remaining."