Two Electoral Officers Dismissed in UP Over Roll Errors
The Election Commission acts after discrepancies in voter details are reported in Pilibhit.
Two electoral registration officers and a computer operator have been dismissed in Uttar Pradesh.
A complaint revealed that details of 13,150 voters were altered post-publication of electoral rolls.
An inquiry has been initiated against the dismissed officials to investigate the discrepancies.
In a significant move, the Election Commission of India has dismissed two electoral registration officers and terminated a computer operator in Pilibhit due to errors found in the electoral rolls. This decision follows a complaint lodged by the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, which highlighted that the details of over 13,000 voters were modified shortly after the final draft of the electoral rolls was released.
The controversy began when the final draft was published on April 10, assuring voters that their information, including names and EPIC numbers, was accurate. However, discrepancies were reported by voters in the Pilibhit Sadar Assembly segment, where it was discovered that while EPIC and serial numbers remained unchanged, the names had been altered. Additionally, 800 voters found their names missing from the list despite having submitted all necessary documentation, while 2,600 voters were incorrectly added despite not residing at the listed addresses.
Alok Kumar, the chief electoral officer of Pilibhit, confirmed the actions taken, stating that the electoral roll is currently undergoing corrections. He emphasized that the two dismissed officers, Mayank Goswami and Hemant Chaudhary, held the rank of sub-divisional magistrate and were responsible for the oversight. The termination of the computer operator, Anil Kumar, was also noted as part of the corrective measures.
The implications of these errors are significant, as they undermine the integrity of the electoral process in Uttar Pradesh, a state with a critical role in national politics. The Congress party's allegations have raised concerns about voter disenfranchisement and the accuracy of electoral data, which are essential for fair elections.
Looking ahead, an inquiry has been initiated against the two electoral registration officers to further investigate the circumstances surrounding the discrepancies. The Election Commission is expected to implement stricter oversight measures to prevent such issues in future electoral rolls, ensuring that voter information remains accurate and reliable.
