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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Article 370 would not have been revoked had PDP not joined hands with BJP in 2014: NC leader Wani
Srinagar, Nov 20: Senior National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani on Wednesday claimed that Articles 370 and 35A would not have been revoked in Jammu and Kashmir had the PDP not joined hands with the BJP in 2014 to form government in the erstwhile state.
He alleged that the Mehbooba Mufti-led party never thought of contributing to the development and progress of people in Jammu and Kashmir.
"They never thought of how people will benefit and progress. They are trying to incite people," Wani, an advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, said.
He said the opposition party should do some introspection.
"Had they (PDP) not supported the BJP in 2014, we would not have lost Article 370 and Article 35A. We would also not have seen all this destruction that took place in the past 10 years," Wani told reporters in reply to a question on the PDP alleging that the NC was not serious about the resolution passed in the Assembly earlier this month.
"We will do what we have promised in our manifesto. They (PDP) are indulging in political chaos. They have always supported chaos, be it in 2008 or 2010. Then it came to haunt them in 2016," he said referring to summer unrest in the Valley between 2008 and 2016.
Wani said the PDP has never thought of contributing to the development and progress of people and advised the opposition party to do some introspection.
