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In the country’s largest state Uttar Pradesh, amidst the election excitement, irregularities found in the voter lists have created a stir in the political circles. The matter is related to the voter list of the important Legislative Council (MLC) elections of the state, where big questions are being raised regarding the transparent and fair voting process. Uttar Pradesh’s main opposition Samajwadi Party has alleged large-scale rigging and serious discrepancies in the voter lists of several constituencies in the state. The party clearly says that in a sacred democratic festival like elections, if such serious flaws or deliberate tampering are found in something as basic as the voter list, then it would be meaningless to expect fair elections. Since this entire controversy came to light, there has been a stir among the administrative staff and questions are being continuously raised on the functioning of the Election Commission.
The controversy deepened when Samajwadi Party leaders officially made public the documents and slips related to the voter list by holding a press conference and on various platforms of social media. The party claims that during the investigation, a shocking fact has come to light that the names of five different voters with the same name and similar details are recorded in the voter list. Apart from this, there are many such strange and objectionable names printed in the list that no one can believe their eyes after seeing them. Opposition parties allege that this is not just a simple technical or printing mistake, rather a big game is going on behind this to influence the elections and conduct fake voting as part of a well-planned strategy. Samajwadi Party representatives have placed all these evidences and slips in front of the Chief Electoral Officer and demanded a review of the list with immediate effect and strict action against the culprits.
After the matter gained momentum and the shortcomings in the voter list went viral on social media, the Election Commission has also come into full action mode. Understanding the seriousness of the matter, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has immediately called for a report from the concerned District Magistrates and Election Registration Officers. Higher officials of the Commission say that during the special intensive revision campaign, if any employee or officer at the level has been negligent or intentionally added wrong entries, then they will not be spared. It has also been made clear that no eligible and genuine voter will be deprived of his franchise. The Election Commission has instructed the administrative staff of all the districts to immediately identify such double names, fake entries and technical errors and remove them from the list before voting so that the sanctity of the elections is not affected.
After this entire incident, the war of words between the ruling party and the opposition has intensified. While on one hand the opposition parties are calling it a conspiracy to sabotage the electoral process at the instigation of the ruling party, on the other hand special campaigns are being run on a war footing to correct the lists at the administrative level. Experts believe that to conduct fair and transparent elections in the country’s largest state, it is very important that the data of voter lists is completely error-free. The strength of any democracy depends on the fact that the voters there can use their discretion without any fear and confusion. At present, after this latest controversy has come to light, the district administration teams have started matching the lists by going door-to-door and through digital means, and all eyes are fixed on how strict and effective action the Election Commission takes on the basis of these complaints.