Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: State Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar on Monday clarified that there has been no delay in publishing the final polling data for Kerala, stressing that time is required to consolidate accurate figures in a large-scale electoral exercise.

Addressing a press conference, Kelkar said, "78.27% is the final polling percentage. Form 17C was distributed to all polling officials. This is provisional or temporary. Postal votes are not included here. The Service voters' list will only be available on the counting day. The final polling percentage will only be clear after the index card publication. Only then will the final count be published."

He added that "53,984 electronic postal ballots are distributed. Till counting day, they can submit these ballots. Service voters' data is yet to be received."

Reiterating the procedural safeguards, Kelkar said, "Form 17C was distributed at all polling stations. Poling teams cannot leave the booth before filing this form. An election is a massive exercise. All data should be consolidated. 3 days is a normal delay."

He emphasised transparency in the process, stating, "Returning officers and district officers have the responsibility to submit clear and true figures. Political party representatives are included in every stage of this election. There is no place for confusion."

Kelkar further noted, "Candidates and political party representatives can visit any of our facilitation centres. Every action was transparent, including postal vote consolidation. Postal ballot activities were also held in the presence of political parties."

Highlighting the rule-bound nature of election procedures, he said, "Election activities are rule-bound. If anyone has a complaint, they have to take legal recourse. Currently published data is not final. Final data will only be available after the index card publication."

On timelines, he explained, "The index card must be published 48hours before the counting day. If anyone couldn't vote, exclusive issues should be taken up with the Returning officers. The index card will be provided 2 days after the counting day."

Kelkar also pointed out that "A live webcasting feed of the Strong Room is being provided. Political parties can watch this feed." He added that "The electoral roll has been sanitised after SIR. There is an impact after the SIR. There is an increase in absolute numbers."

He said the final turnout is expected to rise to around 79.63 per cent once postal ballots are included along with EVM votes. The polling among home voters stood at 96.72 per cent, while total postal votes reached 3,68,193. Votes from essential service personnel stood at 32,172, and turnout among persons with disabilities touched 97.71 per cent. As many as 1,45,604 senior citizens also cast their votes.

Kelkar added that data from 53,984 service voters is yet to be received and will be reflected in the index card.

The state has recorded one of its highest voter turnouts in decades, with officials noting that the last peak was in 1987 when polling stood at 80.54 per cent.