Form 20
The statutory ECI document publishing booth-wise vote counts after a poll.
Short answer
What is Form 20?
Form 20 is the Final Result Sheet prescribed under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. It records the number of votes polled by each candidate at each polling station in a constituency, and is published by the Election Commission after counting.
Definition
Form 20 is the Final Result Sheet prescribed under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. It records the number of votes polled by each candidate at each polling station in a constituency, and is published by the Election Commission after counting.
Why It Matters
Form 20 is the single most valuable public dataset in Indian electoral analysis. It is the only official source that reveals how each individual booth voted, which makes it the foundation of booth-level modelling, swing analysis and targeting.
Example in Indian Elections
Rebuilding three cycles of Form 20 data for a constituency reveals which booths have shifted allegiance, which have remained stable, and where turnout has historically underperformed — the raw material for a targeting model.
Common Questions
Yes. It is published by the Election Commission and by Chief Electoral Officer offices, though format and accessibility vary considerably by state and year.
Related Terms
- Polling BoothThe individual polling station where a defined group of voters casts their votes.
- Electoral RollThe official list of registered voters for a constituency, organised by part and booth.
- By-ElectionAn election held to fill a single seat vacated mid-term.
- NOTA"None of the Above" — an option on the ballot to reject all candidates.
- Model Code of ConductECI guidelines governing party and candidate conduct once an election is announced.
- Silence PeriodThe 48 hours before polling closes when public campaigning is prohibited.