New Delhi, June 3,
Addressing concerns about voter turnout percentage the election commission of India (ECI) has Rolled Out ‘Real-Time’ digital reporting system. “ The polling percentage trends were often updated hours later, based on physical records arriving late in the night or even the next day, leading to delays of 4–5 hours or more, which in some cases created misperceptions,” stated Deputy Director P. Pawan in a media note issued this afternoon.
To counter these delays and enhance public trust in the electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a new streamlined, technology-driven mechanism for real-time reporting of approximate voter turnout trends, he added. The system is designed to significantly reduce the time lag associated with earlier manual reporting methods and ensure more timely public communication — a goal frequently underscored by the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.
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He informed that under the new initiative, the Commission has integrated voter turnout reporting with the ECINET App. On polling day, Presiding Officers (PROs) will directly enter the voter turnout data every two hours through the app, he added. This data will then be automatically aggregated at the constituency level, allowing the public to receive more accurate and timely updates.
“Voter turnout data will now be entered by PROs immediately after the close of polls, before they leave the polling station,” he further explains. “This move will eliminate the 4–5-hour delay that was common in the past and ensure that constituency-wise polling percentages are available on the updated Voter Turnout (VTR) App soon after the polls close.”
Significantly, this new method will not replace the statutory reporting obligations under Rule 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. PROs will continue to furnish Form 17C — detailing the account of votes recorded — to polling agents nominated by candidates at the close of poll, ensuring the legal framework remains intact.
The VTR App, which was originally a non-statutory facilitative tool, has now been upgraded to work in tandem with ECINET. Even in areas lacking mobile network connectivity, the app allows offline data entry, which can later be synced once the signal is restored. This ensures a more inclusive, accurate, and timely update from all polling stations, including those in remote or rural locations.
Earlier, voter turnout data was manually collected by Sector Officers and passed along to Returning Officers via phone calls, SMS, or messaging platforms, leading to inconsistent and delayed updates. The new app-based direct reporting method removes these intermediary layers, streamlining the process and improving accuracy.
The ECI plans to make this improved system an integral part of ECINET ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
This initiative, official says, is another step toward greater transparency and efficiency in the world’s largest democratic exercise.
