'SERIOUS APPREHENSIONS ABOUT...': MAMATA BANERJEE RAISES CONCERN OVER VOTER TURNOUT INCREASE, QUESTIONS EVM CREDIBILITY

NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed her disapproval of the Election Commission's delayed release of the final voter turnout numbers for the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections. She also voiced her worries about the abrupt rise in polling percentages during those phases. The commission only disclosed the voter turnout for the first two phases, held on April 19 and April 26, on Tuesday evening.

The EC reported that the voter turnout was 66.14% in the first phase and 66.71% in the second phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

"The sudden jump in final voter turnout by nearly 5.75 per cent from what the Election Commission had released earlier is worrying. There are apprehensions of manipulation of results by the BJP as several EVMs were missing for a long period," said Mamata while speaking at a rally in Murshidabad district's Farakka.

The TMC chief declared that the unexpected increase in poll percentage is not only "disturbing" but also raises "serious apprehensions about the credibility of EVMs". She further stated, "The details of EVM makers should be made public by the Election Commission as the BJP can stoop to any level to win elections."

The remaining phases of the general elections are scheduled for May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, with the counting of votes set to take place on June 4.

(With inputs from agencies)