 |
|
The Uttar Pradesh by-elections have been embroiled in controversy following allegations of voter suppression and biased actions by police personnel. The Election Commission of India (ECI) responded swiftly to complaints lodged by the Samajwadi Party (SP), suspending seven police officers for violating voter guidelines. These suspensions stem from reports of unlawful checks of voter cards and Aadhaar IDs, actions that the SP alleges were designed to suppress votes from specific communities. The ECI's statement emphasized its commitment to fair elections, vowing to investigate all complaints and take strict action against those found guilty of preventing eligible voters from exercising their franchise. The suspension of two officers each from Kanpur and Muzaffarnagar districts, and three from Moradabad, highlights the widespread nature of the alleged misconduct. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar issued strict instructions to state officials to ensure a smooth and fair voting process, urging immediate action on complaints and public updates on the actions taken.
The controversy escalated significantly following accusations by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Yadav accused the police of unlawfully checking voter IDs and Aadhaar cards, asserting that this targeted certain communities and aimed to prevent them from voting. He presented video evidence supporting his claims, further intensifying pressure on the ECI. Yadav’s accusations were not taken lightly by the ECI. His calls for investigation and action were met with the immediate suspension of the police officers. He further urged voters who were allegedly prevented from casting their ballots to return to the polling booths and exercise their right to vote. His response to the ECI's action was a clear call to action for those affected by the alleged voter suppression. Akhilesh Yadav also engaged with the Supreme Court, urging them to take immediate cognisance of the alleged voter suppression, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the need for swift judicial intervention.
The BJP, however, countered the SP's accusations, dismissing the claims of voter suppression. Instead, the BJP, through a letter to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, raised concerns about potential voter fraud, alleging that individuals from outside the constituencies were using fake IDs to vote and utilizing mosques, madrasas, and lodges in Muzaffarnagar to facilitate this activity. The BJP also expressed concerns about women wearing burqas evading voter ID checks, claiming that this practice enabled men to disguise themselves and cast illegal votes. This contrasting narrative underscores the highly polarized political climate in Uttar Pradesh and points to the intense competition between the ruling BJP and the opposition SP during these by-elections. The statement by Muzaffarnagar SSP Abhishek Singh, indicating that all complaints are being addressed, aims to reassure the public of the administration's commitment to free and fair elections despite the conflicting allegations.
The incidents in Meerapur serve as a stark illustration of the tension surrounding these elections. Reports of stone-throwing incidents between two groups underscore the volatile situation and necessitated police intervention. The use of ‘mild force’ to disperse the crowd underlines the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining peace and order while ensuring free and fair elections. The overall voter turnout of 31.21 percent by 1 pm suggests that despite the controversies, a significant number of voters have exercised their right to vote. The presence of 90 candidates competing across nine assembly seats further underlines the intense political stakes involved in these by-elections. The conflicting narratives, accusations, and incidents of violence paint a complex picture of these Uttar Pradesh by-polls, highlighting the importance of ensuring fair elections and investigating all allegations of voter suppression and manipulation.
Source: UP bypolls: Election body cracks down, 7 cops suspended for rule violations