Uttar Pradesh CEO Mandates Reverifying Electoral Forms by Booth Officers
In response to discrepancies in voter rolls, the Uttar Pradesh CEO has ordered a thorough reverification of all entries made by computer operators since April 2026.
Uttar Pradesh CEO Navdeep Rinwa has mandated that only Booth Level Officers handle digital applications.
Errors in the electoral rolls have led to the removal of six election officials amid allegations of irregularities.
Officials are warned of severe penalties under the Representation of the People Act for any breaches in duty.
On October 25, 2026, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa, announced a significant measure to address errors in the electoral rolls published after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This directive mandates the reverification of all entries made by computer operators since the final electoral rolls were published on April 10, 2026. The CEO emphasized that future digital applications must be submitted exclusively by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), prohibiting the involvement of outsourced computer operators.
The decision arose during a virtual meeting held on October 24, 2026, which included Divisional Commissioners, District Election Officers (DEOs), and other electoral officials. The CEO's statement highlighted the importance of ensuring that physical application forms are digitized solely by BLOs using the BLO App. Additionally, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are required to review pending applications daily to ensure compliance with electoral regulations.
Concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral rolls were amplified by allegations from Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders, who claimed that details of over 13,000 voters were altered while their EPIC and serial numbers remained unchanged in the Pilibhit constituency. They reported that between July and September, 804 residents were removed, and approximately 2,600 non-residents were added, resulting in a total of 16,554 irregular entries. Similar reports of duplicate entries have surfaced from various regions in the state.
In light of these issues, the CEO expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in reporting duplicate voter complaints by District Election Officers from several districts. He instructed all officials to refrain from sharing their ERONET login credentials and mandated verification of all entries made by computer assistants since the conclusion of SIR. Failure to comply could result in disciplinary action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, which outlines penalties for breaches of official duty.
Looking ahead, the CEO's office will intensify oversight of the electoral roll preparation process, with Divisional Commissioners acting as Roll Observers. They are responsible for ensuring rigorous supervision in their districts, and any negligence will lead to strict action against the concerned officials. This initiative aims to restore public confidence in the electoral process ahead of upcoming elections.
