13 ‘Vikas Yadavs’: more irregularities in poll-bound UP voter rolls
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Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer has ordered departmental proceedings against three election officials and initiated steps to terminate six other employees after an inquiry confirmed discrepancies in the electoral roll of Azamgarh Assembly constituency, according to reports.
The action follows allegations raised by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who claimed that the name Vikas Yadav appeared 10 times on the constituency’s voter list. A preliminary inquiry found 13 entries bearing that name in the electoral roll of the 347-Azamgarh constituency.
The inquiry established that two of the 13 entries had already been deleted under the rules. The remaining 11 entries corresponded to different individuals residing in Azamgarh district, while another voter with the same name and father’s name in Gorakhpur district was identified as a separate person.
Form-8 applications have been submitted to correct the names and other details for 10 of the 11 remaining entries. The Chief Electoral Officer has also directed the Azamgarh district election officer to scrutinise voter lists across all Assembly constituencies in the district and submit a detailed report within a week.
The Electoral Registration Officer and two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers face departmental action over alleged negligence and inadequate supervision. Five Booth Level Officers and a computer assistant are also facing removal or termination proceedings under the orders.
The development comes as Uttar Pradesh prepares for Assembly elections early next year.
The action follows another voter-roll controversy in Pilibhit Sadar, where the CEO recently reported irregularities involving 10,470 entries and ordered legal action against two electoral registration officers after complaints by the Congress and Samajwadi Party.