UP Election Chief Denies Pressure in Voter List Revision, Announces April 10 Final Roll
VARANASI: Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has firmly rejected allegations that names are being deleted from the electoral roll under pressure from influential individuals. He emphasized that any removal of names must strictly follow prescribed legal provisions and cannot occur due to external pressure.
Transparent Process and April 10 Deadline
Rinwa reiterated that the final electoral roll, following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), will be officially released on April 10. This document will serve as a permanent record for all future elections in the state. The announcement was made during a press interaction at the Cultural Complex Chowkaghat in Varanasi on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Rinwa inspected the hearing process under the SIR at the Composite School in Kabirchauraha. He reviewed several key aspects of the operation to ensure effectiveness and smooth functioning:
- Arrangements and logistical setup
- Transparency of the hearing proceedings
- Timeliness of the process
- Overall voter experience during the revision
Engagement with Political Parties and Election Officials
The Chief Electoral Officer disclosed that a meeting lasting approximately 40-45 minutes was conducted with representatives from various political parties. During this session, party representatives shared their experiences and suggestions regarding the revision process, all of which were duly noted by the commission. The election commission also presented comprehensive information about the entire revision procedure to the political delegates.
Furthermore, a dialogue program was organized with about 500 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and supervisors from assemblies across Uttar Pradesh. This forum discussed:
- Challenges faced by officials in the field
- Difficulties encountered during the revision process
- Suggestions for making the electoral system more efficient in future exercises
Rinwa added that BLOs and supervisors who demonstrated excellent performance in their duties will be honored for their contributions.
Commitment to Transparency and Accuracy
The CEO stated that the election commission's primary effort is to ensure the entire voter list revision process remains transparent, time-bound, and error-free. This approach aims to produce a final list that serves as a reliable and permanent document for electoral purposes. The option to submit Form-6, Form-7, and Form-8 will continue to be available, and the process for claims and objections will remain ongoing.
Addressing Specific Allegations and Procedures
Regarding allegations made by State Minister Ravindra Jaiswal, the District Election Officer reported that during the first phase of verification, 4,500 votes were examined, with only eight duplicate votes identified. Further investigation into these cases is currently ongoing. When questioned about potential action, Rinwa clarified that disciplinary measures would only be taken if any duplication was found to be deliberate.
During his interaction with press representatives at Sanskritik Sankul, Rinwa elaborated on the name removal procedure:
- No external person can interfere in the process of removing any individual's name from the voter list
- If an objection is raised or a name requires striking off, an official notice will be issued to the concerned person
- This procedural safeguard ensures all parties receive an opportunity to respond appropriately
He also stated that no forms will be accepted in bulk to maintain transparency throughout the process. In response to a specific question, Rinwa clarified that identifying Bangladeshi nationals is not within the election commission's jurisdiction.
Focus on Voter Inclusion and Electoral Integrity
Rinwa emphasized that the Election Commission's priority is to ensure all eligible voters are included in the voter list with correct and accurate information. He assured that if any person's name is missing from the list, they will be provided an opportunity to add their name through the proper procedure, which requires submission of necessary documents and information.
The Chief Electoral Officer affirmed that maintaining a fair and transparent electoral process is the fundamental responsibility of the Election Commission. All necessary steps will be implemented to uphold this standard. Rinwa concluded by asserting that the commission will not succumb to any kind of pressure, and all decisions will be made impartially to preserve the integrity of the electoral system.
