There have been widespread claims and false reports on social media alleging a significant mismatch between the number of votes polled and votes counted in Maharashtra during the recent elections. These reports claim that the total votes counted exceed the votes polled by 5,04,313 votes across several constituencies. Specifically, the reports state that the total votes polled stood at 64,088,195, while the total votes counted were reported as 64,592,508. However, these allegations are entirely baseless and misleading.
The Wire published a report claiming that there was a mismatch of 5,04,313 votes between votes polled and votes counted in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections. Later, the report was modified or removed.
Founding editor of ‘The Wire’ @svaradarajan also disseminated the report and wrote, “5,04,313 ‘Additional’ Votes? Maharashtra Data Mismatch Between Votes Polled and Counted | Pavan Korada reports”. Later, he deleted the post.
Several other users, influencers, propagandists and political workers have also disseminated the report and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @Amockx2022, @Awhadspeaks, @mrs_roh08, @NilanjanDasAITC, @Electoral_Edge, @GuptaPragnya, @waglenikhil.
The truth behind the claims about Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the report and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the claims and found that these allegations were false and misleading.
To verify the claims made by the media outlets and the users. We performed a relevant keyword search and found a statement on CEO Maharashtra’s official X (Twitter) account regarding the report.
The Chief Electoral Office (CEO) of Maharashtra has issued an official statement refuting these claims and providing a clear explanation for the reported figures. According to the CEO, the confusion arose due to the inclusion of 5,38,225 postal ballots in the total votes counted, which were not part of the initial votes polled data released by the CEO Maharashtra.
५,०४,३१३ अतिरिक्त मते असल्याच्या तसेच आष्टी (२३१) आणि उस्मानाबाद (२४२) या दोन विधानसभा मतदारसंघांमध्ये मतांच्या संख्येत तफावत असल्याच्या The Wire या वृ्त्तपत्रात आलेल्या वृत्ताबाबत@SpokespersonECI @ECISVEEP @MahaDGIPR pic.twitter.com/qe1bkXjuUz
— ChiefElectoralOffice (@CEO_Maharashtra) November 26, 2024
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that there was no mismatch between votes polled and votes counted during the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) November 26, 2024
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: There have been widespread claims and false reports alleging a significant mismatch between the number of votes polled and votes counted in Maharashtra during the recent elections. These reports claim that the total votes counted exceed (1/4) pic.twitter.com/QOftRxK5I7
Intent
Media outlets and political workers are circulating false and misleading claims about the assembly election results in Maharashtra.
Conclusion
Claim– 5,04,313 additional votes counted in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections.
Fact– The Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra has clarified that 5,38,225 postal ballots in the total votes counted. The ballot votes were not part of the initial votes polled data released by the CEO Maharashtra.
Related Article: Fact Check: Old video of protests against EVM from Delhi falsely linked to the Maharashtra Assembly Elections results 2024 – D-Intent Data
