New Delhi, April 2, 2026 — Economist and political commentator Parakala Prabhakar has sparked fresh debate on the integrity of the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections by highlighting what he described as “unusual and statistically improbable” voting patterns, particularly a significant surge in votes recorded late at night on polling day.

At a press conference held in Delhi on April 1, 2026, Prabhakar — who previously served as an advisor to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and is the husband of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman — presented data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) showing that approximately 4.16% of total votes, equating to around 17 lakh votes, were reportedly recorded between 11:45 pm and 2:00 am on May 13-14, 2024.

He was joined by former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, who echoed concerns over transparency and called for the ECI to provide detailed explanations and access to records.

The Allegations: “Physically Impossible” Speed and Volume

Prabhakar pointed to ECI’s own turnout figures:

• At 8:00 pm on polling day (May 13, 2024): Voter turnout stood at around 68.12%.
• By 11:45 pm: It had risen to 76.50%.
• Final official figure (revised later): Approximately 80.66% to 81.79% (including postal ballots).

He claimed that over 52 lakh votes were added between 8 pm and 2 am, with the bulk — nearly 17 lakh — coming after midnight across roughly 3,500 polling booths. According to his analysis, this implied an average of one vote every 20 seconds post-midnight, and in some cases, as little as six seconds per voter after accounting for EVM reset time (VVPAT slip printing and verification), voter identification, inking, and other mandatory procedures.

Prabhakar questioned how polling could continue till 2 am in multiple booths and how such volumes could be processed at that speed while adhering to the ECI’s Presiding Officers’ Handbook guidelines. He also highlighted discrepancies in booth-level turnout averages, which reportedly spiked significantly in certain areas compared to the statewide norm.

He has written to the ECI seeking clarifications but claims he has received no substantive reply so far. Prabhakar stressed that his questions are not about the final outcome but about ensuring public trust in the electoral process.

Political Context: NDA’s Landslide Victory

The 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, held on a single day on May 13, 2024, resulted in a massive victory for the TDP-led NDA alliance (comprising Telugu Desam Party, Janasena Party, and BJP). The NDA secured 164 out of 175 seats, with TDP winning 135, Janasena 21, and BJP 8. The incumbent YSRCP, led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was reduced to just 11 seats — a sharp decline from its 151-seat majority in 2019.

The NDA’s sweeping win brought N. Chandrababu Naidu back as Chief Minister for a fourth term. Critics of the allegations argue that the decisive mandate reflected strong anti-incumbency against the YSRCP government rather than any irregularities.

Election Commission’s Position

The ECI has maintained that the observed increases in turnout figures are normal and result from the standard process of data consolidation, including the entry of votes from voters already in queue at the close of polling (as permitted by guidelines), postal ballots, and final compilation from Form 17C and other records. Similar turnout revisions have occurred in other states and previous elections.

As of now, no formal probe has been announced into the specific claims made by Prabhakar and others. The Commission has not issued a detailed rebuttal to the latest press conference.

Reactions and Broader Implications

Prashant Bhushan raised concerns about limited public access to critical documents like Form 17C (account of votes recorded at each booth) and called for greater transparency. Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi suggested systemic reforms, including possible forensic audits of election records to strengthen institutional credibility.

The allegations have gained traction on social media and among opposition circles, with some describing them as evidence of “serious mischief.” However, supporters of the NDA and the ECI view these claims as politically motivated attempts to question a legitimately delivered mandate nearly two years after the polls.

Prabhakar has also drawn parallels with polling data patterns in other states, urging a broader national conversation on electoral reforms.

What Happens Next?

While the 2024 results have long been notified and the current government in Andhra Pradesh is functioning with a strong majority, the renewed questions raised on April 1, 2026, have once again put the spotlight on the Election Commission’s processes, data reporting timelines, and mechanisms for independent verification.

The ECI is yet to respond formally to the latest round of queries. Any official clarification or decision on further scrutiny could have implications for public confidence in India’s electoral machinery ahead of future polls.

This development comes even as Andhra Pradesh moves forward with key governance initiatives, including the recent parliamentary passage of the bill declaring Amaravati as the state’s permanent capital.