In a definite departure from earlier tradition, the Election Commission has decided to refrain from announcing the polling percentage in every two hours.
After the initial round of first phase on April 4 the opposition alleged that the last provisional polling percentage released in the evening was substantially different from the final figures. Hence, EC has decided to adopt a more conservative approach while releasing the hourly poll percentage. On April 4 and earlier elections EC released provisional poll percentage after every two hours after the commencement of polling.
However, the Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar told The Hindu that opposition's allegation has nothing to do with their decision.
“This has got nothing to do with opposition's allegation,” Mr Sarkar said. The opposition alleged that final figure had gone up by four-five percent which indicates “some foul play.”
In earlier elections EC received the provisional district-wise data via SMS from the DMs and thus released the figures to the press.
“But SMS does not provide much details. We have decided to wait till we get written report (from DMs) before releasing any figure,” Mr Sarkar told The Hindu . Without specifying any time frame for releasing provisional figures Mr Sarkar said that they would release figures "as and when" they receive it.
On April 4 the first provisional figures were released around 9-30 a.m. Polling started at 7 a.m.
