BJD Alleges Election Commission Lapses, Demands 2024 Poll Data Transparency

• Odisha's BJD raised concerns over the Election Commission not uploading Form 17C data 19 months after the 2024 state and Lok Sabha elections.
• The party, led by Naveen Patnaik, stated its demand for electoral transparency is not politically motivated but aims to strengthen democracy.
• BJD leaders Santrupt Misra and Lekhasree Samanta Singhar highlighted discrepancies between votes polled and counted, and the EC's failure to provide Form 17C copies.
• Misra questioned why Form 17C was withheld for all constituencies when election cases were pending in only 28 Assembly seats, and alleged unexplained increases in vote figures.
• BJD also demanded participation in periodic EVM audits and criticized the EC for not clarifying how many votes were uncounted due to mock poll errors.

Why It Matters: BJD demands transparency from the Election Commission regarding 2024 poll data and Form 17C.