UP Minister Flags Duplicate Voter Registrations in Varanasi North Constituency
Uttar Pradesh Minister Ravindra Jaiswal has publicly questioned the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in his Varanasi North assembly constituency, alleging that thousands of voters appear to be registered at multiple polling booths. The minister, who holds the portfolio of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Stamp and Court Registration Fees, made these remarks during a media interaction in Varanasi on Saturday.
Submission of Evidence and Demand for Inquiry
Jaiswal presented a detailed list containing 9,200 voter names that he claims are duplicated across different polling stations to District Magistrate-cum-District Election Officer Satyendra Kumar. He formally demanded a comprehensive inquiry into these discrepancies, emphasizing that the very purpose of the SIR—to conduct thorough verification—appears compromised.
"We physically verified each voter's name before preparing the report and submitting it for inquiry. In the process, we found 9,200 names that are registered at multiple places," Jaiswal stated. He further explained that party workers involved in the verification process discovered instances where some voters' names were listed at as many as five different locations.
Allegations of 'Vote Jihad' and Community-Specific Patterns
The minister made controversial allegations, suggesting that many of the duplicated voters belong to a particular community and describing the phenomenon as 'vote jihad'. In a video circulating on social media, Jaiswal is heard saying, "I believe that every person in India should have their name on the voter list at only one place. If a name appears at two places, then what is the meaning of the SIR?"
He elaborated on the verification methodology, noting that when Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and party workers conducted door-to-door checks, they frequently encountered the same person's name registered multiple times—sometimes with variations like father's or husband's names attached. "When BLOs and party workers went door to door for verification, they found that in many cases the same person's name—whether with the father's or the husband's—was registered not just once, but in some places twice and in others even five times," he explained.
Context of Broader Electoral Roll Concerns
Jaiswal's allegations come at a time when Opposition parties have been consistently highlighting perceived flaws in the SIR process across Uttar Pradesh. His remarks have added significant fuel to this ongoing political debate about electoral integrity. The minister revealed that his team verified approximately 90,000 voters in Varanasi North alone, identifying the 9,200 duplicate entries through this rigorous process.
"We have so far identified 9,200 names that appear five, four, three times, twice in duplicate," Jaiswal confirmed in the social media video. He also mentioned that reports from other assembly constituencies are still awaited, suggesting this issue might not be isolated to Varanasi North.
Political Implications and Electoral Process Scrutiny
The SIR process in Uttar Pradesh has already received four extensions, with the final electoral roll now scheduled for publication in April. Jaiswal's allegations raise serious questions about the effectiveness of this revision exercise, which was specifically designed to eliminate errors and duplications from voter lists. The minister's decision to publicly challenge the process within his own constituency underscores the heightened political sensitivity surrounding electoral preparations in the state.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes will be on how election authorities respond to these specific allegations and whether similar patterns emerge in other constituencies undergoing the Special Intensive Revision across Uttar Pradesh.
