Six election officials removed in U.P. after SP flags voter list errors

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday removed five Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and a computer assistant from election duties following an investigation into voter list discrepancies in Azamgarh. Action has also been initiated against three senior electoral registration officials.

The orders come after the Samajwadi Party (SP) held a press conference on October 15, alleging that a voter named ‘Vikas Yadav’ was listed 10 times in the voter list for the Azamgarh assembly constituency (347).

Following a detailed probe by the District Election Officer of Azamgarh, authorities found that the name “Vikas Yadav” appeared 13 times in Hindi on the rolls.

According to the CEO’s office, one of the entries belongs to a voter of the same name and age from the Chauri Chaura constituency in Gorakhpur district. Deletion proceedings have been initiated for two other duplicate entries.

The investigation revealed that the remaining 11 entries actually belong to 11 different individuals living in Azamgarh. Officials have now filled out Form-8 to correct the names and personal details of 10 of these individuals, ensuring only the actual Vikas Yadav remains on the roll under that name.

In response to the clerical lapses, the CEO directed the immediate removal of the responsible computer assistant and five BLOs from voter registration work. Authorities have also issued notices regarding the termination of their services.

Furthermore, the state election body has ordered charge sheets and departmental action against the then Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) for negligence and poor supervision. The three senior officials face potential action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

The District Election Officer of Azamgarh has been directed to scrutinise voter lists across all assembly constituencies in the district and submit a comprehensive report within a week.