Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that fake voters persist in electoral rolls despite the Special Intensive Revision exercise. He accused the Election Commission of working at the BJP's behest. "These are not minor mistakes, but gross errors," he said, demanding action against officials involved in electoral malpractice.
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that inconsistencies and fake voters continue to exist in electoral rolls despite the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, accusing the Election Commission (EC) of working at the BJP's behest.
"There are irregularities in voter lists even after SIR. There are fake voters, with one person having two, three, four or even 10 votes from different places," Yadav told reporters here.
Speaking to mediapersons after visiting the residence of former minister Vidya Chaudhary in Gomti Nagar to enquire about her health, Yadav said the EC has also acknowledged the irregularities, but is describing them as minor errors.
"These are not minor mistakes, but gross errors," he said.
The SP chief alleged that whenever the BJP senses defeat, it resorts to malpractice and electoral manipulation with connivance of the EC.
"When the opposition and the public raise questions about the functioning of the EC, why is BJP aggrieved? Why does it come forward to defend the poll panel?" he asked.
Yadav demanded action against officials allegedly involved in "vote chori" and electoral malpractice.
He claimed the Samajwadi Party had submitted evidence-based complaints to the EC regarding discrepancies in voter lists and irregularities during the bypolls, but no action had been taken.
Asserting that the EC is an autonomous constitutional body, Yadav said it should function independently and impartially rather than act at the BJP's behest.
"It should not only work impartially, but also appear impartial. Why are questions arising about the credibility and functioning of the EC today?" he said.
Commending the party's "PDA Praharis" -- guardians of the 'pichhde' (backward classes), Dalits and 'alpsankhyak' (minorities) -- for assisting voters facing difficulties due to the SIR exercise, Yadav urged them to remain vigilant and extend all possible help to voters.
He also asked party leaders and workers to remain alert at their respective polling booths, prevent inclusion of fake voters in electoral rolls and ensure genuine voters' names are added.
Yadav cautioned party workers against what he alleged were attempts by the BJP to manipulate the electoral process.