UP bypolls: Election body cracks down, 7 cops suspended for rule violations
UP bypolls: Election body cracks down, 7 cops suspended for rule violations
M.U.H
20/11/202420
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday asked authorities in Uttar Pradesh to ensure fair bypolls in the state after controversy erupted over checking of voters' identity. In the wake of the row, the poll body has suspended at least seven police personnel so far for violating voter guidelines based on complaints by the Samajwadi Party..
"No eligible voter should be prevented from voting. Any kind of biased attitude during voting will not be tolerated. On receiving a complaint, there will be an immediate investigation. If anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken," the ECI said in a statement.
Of the seven suspended officers, two each are from Kanpur district and Muzaffarnagar districts; and three from Moradabad.
Bypolls are currently underway in the nine assembly seats of Ghaziabad, Katehari, Khair, Kundarki, Karhal, Majhawan, Meerapur, Phulpur and Sisamau.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has instructed the state's Chief Electoral Officer and all District Election Officers and Returning Officers to ensure fair and smooth voting process.
"Take immediate note of all complaints and take immediate action. Along with this, inform the complainant about the action taken through social media by tagging them."
The ECI's response came after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav accused police officers of unlawfully checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs and also urged the poll body to take action based on complaints on its official social media accounts about some communities being prevented from voting.
"We have lodged multiple complaints. It seems that the senses of the Election Commission have dulled. It can neither see nor hear despite so many complaints. The BJP wants to win these by-elections not by vote but by 'khot'. Fearing a defeat, the BJP is pressuring the administration to indulge in foul play," the SP chief said.
He responded to the Election Commission's move to suspend the police officers and asked the people who were allegedly stopped from voting to go to polling booths and cast their ballots again.
"After talking to the Chief Election Commissioner of the country, on the basis of video and photo evidence, corrupt and biased police officers have been suspended, and the remaining guilty officers are going to be suspended. Therefore, you should go without any fear and stand in the queue," he said.
Akhilesh Yadav also shared a video of police announcing voters to go out and exercise their franchise.
Earlier in the day as well, Akhilesh Yadav urged the Supreme Court and the poll body to take immediate cognisance of alleged voter suppression based on video evidence.
"All police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs should be immediately suspended on the basis of video evidence. Police have no right to check Aadhaar ID cards or identity cards," he tweeted.
He also shared a video of party candidate Sumbul Rana from Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar district, accusing police personnel of trying to stop people from voting.
Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed claims that people from some communities were being prevented from casting their ballots and urged the Election Commission to intensify checking of burqa-clad voters.
In a letter to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, the state's BJP unit said that in Meerapur, people coming from outside were using fake IDs to vote and were being made to stay in mosques, madrasas and lodges in Muzaffarnagar district, where the Assembly seat is located.
The party also claimed that women wearing burqas were not being checked and taking advantage of this, men disguised themselves and cast votes.
Speaking to reporters, Muzaffarnagar SSP Abhishek Singh said, "We are taking note of all sorts of complaints. Free and fair polling is taking place."
As of 1 pm, voter turnout for the bypolls to the nine Assembly seats stood at 31.21 per cent. There are a total of 90 candidates in the electoral race.
There were a few incidents of violence reported in the wake of the controversy.
Two groups resorted to stone throwing in Meerapur, prompting the police to use "mild force" to disperse the crowd.
