ECI suspends UP police officers over allegations of voter suppression during bypolls
Lucknow: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended several Uttar Pradesh police officers following allegations of voter suppression during the ongoing bypolls in nine assembly constituencies across the state. This action comes after multiple complaints from opposition leaders, including former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who shared videos purportedly showing instances of voter obstruction.
The EC took the decision to suspend officers, including those stationed in the Sisamau constituency of Kanpur, based on reports of misconduct. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had earlier directed district election officers (DEOs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to ensure free, fair, and impartial polling. Officials were instructed to address all complaints swiftly and keep complainants informed via social media updates to maintain transparency.
The suspension was confirmed by Kanpur police, who stated that sub-inspectors found violating election guidelines had been removed from duty. The police emphasized strict adherence to election procedures and pledged action against anyone found obstructing voters.
Leaders of opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), accused police personnel of targeting specific communities, particularly Muslims and Yadavs, to suppress votes.
SP leader Akhilesh Yadav demanded the suspension of officers who were allegedly unlawfully checking voter identification documents, including Aadhaar cards. SP candidate from Kundarki in Moradabad, Haji Rizwan, alleged that barriers were set up near polling stations to block Muslim voters. Rizwan also claimed that police officers were casting proxy votes, further intensifying tensions.
AIMIM candidate Arshad Rana accused the police of intimidating supporters of his party and preventing them from voting. He alleged that the administration was deliberately targeting voters who supported the AIMIM. "The police and administration have turned the by-election into a farce," Rana said, claiming that the popularity of AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had unnerved the ruling BJP.
Several videos circulated on social media showed Muslim men and women being arbitrarily stopped by police personnel near polling stations. Opposition parties claimed that such actions were deliberate attempts to disenfranchise specific voter groups.
SP candidate Tej Pratap Singh Yadav accused the police of harassing party supporters and claimed that voting was deliberately halted at several polling booths.
In contrast, the BJP demanded stricter identity verification measures for burqa-clad voters, alleging instances of "fake voting" in constituencies like Sisamau. The saffron party called for intensified scrutiny to ensure no discrepancies in the voting process.
Bypolls are being held in nine constituencies: Karhal (Mainpuri), Sisamau (Kanpur), Katehari (Ambedkarnagar), Kundarki (Moradabad), Mirpur (Muzaffarnagar), Ghaziabad, Phulpur (Prayagraj), Khair (Aligarh), and Majhawan (Mirzapur). These seats have become a battleground, with multiple allegations of electoral malpractice adding to the political drama.
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Patna-bound IndiGo flight makes emergency landing at Lucknow due to bad weather
Lucknow (PTI): Adverse weather forced an IndiGo Kolkata-Patna flight to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport on Friday, airport sources said.
According to airport officials, weather conditions in Patna deteriorated suddenly on Friday afternoon, affecting flight operations.
IndiGo flight 6E 6917 from Kolkata, which was scheduled to land in Patna at 3.50 pm, could not land due to bad weather and kept circling in the air after failing to get clearance from air traffic control, they said.
The flight was later diverted to Lucknow and landed safely at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at around 5.15 pm. There were 180 passengers and six crew members on board, officials said.
The aircraft was later allowed to depart for Patna after weather conditions improved.
