No scope of turnout data manipulation: EC ex-official

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raking up Election Commission’s “inordinate delay” in releasing polling data collated from first two phases of Lok Sabha elections and questioning the increase in turnout in the data updated later has surprised officials and election experts. EC sources and former officials in the poll panel said they “were surprised” to learn about the veteran leader’s letter raising questions, considering that all who have contested polls are “well aware” of the process and how the details of vote cast is recorded.