GURGAON: Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday questioned the changes in voter turnout figures during the 2024 assembly elections and demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner, alleging that the revisions raised questions about the election process.Speaking at a Congress workers’ meeting in Tawdu, Hooda said the party had sought answers from the Election Commission on the Haryana election results.He cited changes in the reported turnout, saying it stood at 61.19% at one stage, rose to 65.65% and was eventually recorded at 67.9%.Hooda questioned how the figures could change so substantially and alleged that BJP had “stolen votes” and, consequently, the government in Haryana.The Election Commission’s records, however, show that the figures were reported at different stages of the turnout compilation.The 61.19% figure was provisional turnout reported as of 7pm on October 5, polling day. The 65.65% figure was reported at 11.45pm the same day. The final turnout of 67.9% was published on October 7.The EC has attributed revisions in turnout figures to the aggregation and updating of polling data and has rejected allegations of manipulation.Hooda said the explanation had not addressed the questions raised by Congress and reiterated his demand for the CEC’s resignation.He also alleged that Haryana’s economic and law-and-order situation had deteriorated under the BJP government. Hooda claimed the state had slipped in several economic indicators and alleged that criminal gangs were operating openly in the state.The comments came at a block-level Congress workers’ conference where Hooda also called for greater organisational activity ahead of the party’s campaign against the BJP.
