PCI urges ECI to ensure release of polling data

New Delhi, May 11: The Press Club of India (PCI) has urged the Election Commission of India to ensure the release of polling data and organise press conferences following each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

In a strongly-worded letter, the PCI expressed dismay at the Commission's failure to hold any press conferences after the conclusion of voting in three phases nationwide.

Highlighting past practices, the letter emphasised that holding press conferences post each voting phase was a customary procedure until the 2019 general election.

“Given India's stature as one of the largest democracies globally, and with the general election hailed as the 'biggest festival of democracy,' the citizens deserve timely updates from the Election Commission,” the PCI said.

Moreover, the journalists' body criticised the Commission for withholding voter turnout data, a departure from past elections, which has “raised doubts about the integrity of the electoral process among voters.” The PCI demanded that the Election Commission immediately resume the practice of holding press conferences after each voting phase. Additionally, it called for the prompt release of comprehensive polling data.