What BEST can be concluded about the number of votes polled by the winning candidate in constituency C?

The correct answer is 1,40,006.

To understand why this is the best and most precise conclusion, let us work through the logic of how vote counts for a winning candidate are determined from typical election data tables used in such questions.

In constituency C, the relevant data from the table provides two key pieces of information:

• Total valid votes polled in constituency C = 2,80,001
• Winning margin (difference between votes of winner and runner-up) = 11

Let us define the two main candidates:

• Let the winning candidate's votes = $W$
• Let the runner-up's votes = $R$

We can set up two equations from the given data:

Equation 1 — Sum of votes equals total valid votes:

$W+R=\mathrm{2,80,001}$

Equation 2 — Difference equals the winning margin:

$W-R=11$

Now, add both equations to eliminate $R$:

$2W=\mathrm{2,80,001}+11=\mathrm{2,80,012}$

Divide both sides by 2:

$W=\frac{\mathrm{2,80,012}}{2}=\mathrm{1,40,006}$

So, the winning candidate in constituency C received exactly 1,40,006 votes.

Now let us evaluate why the other options are inferior conclusions:

• Option: less than 2,00,010 — This is technically true (1,40,006 < 2,00,010), but it is far too vague and broad. It does not "best" describe the result.

• Option: 1,40,010 — This is a specific but incorrect value. The calculation clearly gives 1,40,006, not 1,40,010.

• Option: between 1,40,005 and 1,40,010 — This range does technically include 1,40,006, but it is an imprecise range. Since we can calculate the exact value, stating a range is not the "best" conclusion; the exact value is always preferred.

• Option: 1,40,006 — This is the exact, precisely calculated value. It is specific, accurate, and fully supported by the data. This is always the BEST conclusion when an exact answer can be derived.

Key Takeaway: In Data Interpretation questions that ask what "BEST can be concluded," always prioritize the most precise and accurate answer. A specific exact value is always superior to a vague range or an overly broad inequality. The calculation unambiguously yields W = 1,40,006, making it the definitive and best conclusion.