UP Govt Issues Notices to Five Officials Over Voter Roll Entries
Probe finds 13 entries under the same name in Azamgarh; departmental action ordered against three officials
- Five election officials receive notices over voter entries
- Thirteen entries bearing the same name were found
- Departmental proceedings ordered against three officials
- Azamgarh ordered to review rolls within one week
GG News Bureau
Lucknow, 25th Oct: The Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)’s office has issued notices to five election officials over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll of the 347-Azamgarh Assembly constituency, following a Samajwadi Party (SP) claim that one voter’s name appeared 10 times in the list.
The action follows an allegation raised by the SP at a press conference on October 15, identifying the voter as Vikas Yadav. Taking cognisance of the claim, the CEO’s office sought a detailed investigation report from the District Election Officer, Azamgarh.
According to the investigation, 13 entries bearing the name Vikas Yadav in Hindi were found in the constituency’s electoral roll. Two entries had already been deleted in accordance with the rules.
The report further clarified that one voter with the same name and father’s name belonged to the Chauri-Chaura Assembly constituency in Gorakhpur district and was a different individual. The remaining 11 entries in Azamgarh belonged to 11 separate residents of the district, each living in their respective villages.
Of these, Form 8 applications have been submitted to correct names and other details for 10 individuals, excluding the actual Vikas Yadav, the CEO’s office said.
The office directed that notices be issued to five officials before initiating action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Those named include a computer assistant at the registration centre, a Booth Level Officer (BLO), the then Election Registration Officer (ERO) and two Assistant EROs.
Additionally, charge sheets have been ordered against the then ERO and two Assistant EROs to initiate departmental proceedings over alleged negligence in their official duties and inadequate supervision of electoral roll preparation.
The District Election Officer, Azamgarh, has also been instructed to conduct a detailed review of electoral rolls across all Assembly constituencies in the district and submit a report within one week.
