'Conspiracy to eliminate opposition votes ahead of UP polls?', Akhilesh on EC's SIR extension
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has become a "major trouble" for people and alleged that the Election Commission (EC) has ignored practical challenges faced by voters and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) while demanding three months extension of the SIR deadline.
"Is there a conspiracy to eliminate opposition votes ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh?" Yadav questioned, claiming the poll body was "acting at the behest of the BJP government" and warned that, as seen in Bihar, lakhs of voters could be deprived of their voting rights if the process was rushed.
Yadav, in a statement issued here, said it was impossible to conduct the enumeration and verification of nearly 16 crore voters in a state as large as Uttar Pradesh within a month, adding that BLOs were under immense pressure, which was affecting their "physical and mental well-being."
He emphasised that extending the SIR deadline from December 4 to December 11 was "not sufficient", adding that he had demanded a three-month extension.
"The Election Commission has given no attention to this logical and practical demand. It seems the commission has become insensitive and is unconcerned about the problems of voters," Yadav said in a statement.
He claimed the poll body was "acting at the behest of the BJP government" and warned that, as seen in Bihar, lakhs of voters could be deprived of their voting rights if the process was rushed.
The SP chief alleged that the situation raised questions over whether the commission cared about its credibility and the fairness of elections.
He also expressed concern over the workload and alleged threats faced by BLOs, claiming several had died by suicide due to stress.
"More than half a dozen BLOs have died in Uttar Pradesh. It is unfortunate that they are being shown as 'dismissed' employees to deny their families government assistance," he alleged.
Calling SIR a critical process linked to constitutional rights, including voting, citizenship and reservation benefits, Yadav said even minor errors could have far-reaching consequences.
He urged the poll body to extend the SIR period by at least three months to ensure accuracy and protect voters’ rights.
"The Election Commission must safeguard the voting rights of crores of Uttar Pradesh residents and remain alert to any political conspiracy. Otherwise, doubts will inevitably be raised about the commission itself," he said. ABN MPL
MPL
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Pak police registers case against unidentified gunmen for opening fire on LeT co-founder
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Lahore (PTI): Pakistan's Punjab Police on Friday registered a case against unidentified gunmen for opening fire on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) co-founder Amir Hamza, who suffered bullet injuries in the attack in Lahore.
On Thursday, two unidentified gunmen riding on a bike opened fire on the vehicle of the private TV channel 24NewsHD TV, owned by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on Peco Road in Lahore near the TV channel's office.
In the attack, Hamza suffered bullet injuries.
"The FIR has been registered against unidentified gunmen, but it is sealed forthwith," a senior police officer told PTI.
He said the intelligence agencies have taken over this case from the police, and they are currently investigating the matter.
The channel's religious programme host Justice (retd.) Nazir Ahmed Ghazi and Hamza were in the vehicle when it was attacked. Hamza was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Punjab police on Friday said that "upon receiving information about the incident, the SSP Operations immediately reached the scene and a high alert was imposed in the area. SSP Operations Tauqeer Naeem also met the affected individuals. Thankfully, all present in the vehicle remained safe during the firing."
It further said senior police officers of the Township and Chung, along with a heavy police contingent, were present at the scene.
"Police collected evidence from the site and initiated an investigation. Efforts to arrest the suspects are underway using CCTV footage and geo-fencing techniques. Search and sweep operations are being conducted at various locations, with scrutiny of suspicious individuals ongoing," police said.
It added that those involved in the incident will be traced and arrested soon.
The police sources said that Hamza has been shifted to his residence in Jauhar Town, Lahore, where police and agency personnel met him.
The leadership of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political front of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's banned Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD), including Hafiz Saeed's son Hafiz Talha Saeed, also called on him.
TV host retired Justice Ghazi, who remained unhurt in the attack, remained a legal counsel for Hafiz Saeed, they said.
The PMML has strongly condemned the attack on Hamza and demanded that those involved in the incident be arrested immediately.
Hamza is regarded as LeT's second most important leader after its chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since 2019 after getting convicted for several years in terror financing cases.
Hamza has been designated as a terrorist by the US. In the past, he served as the head of LeT's "special campaigns" department.
In 2018, Hamza formed a fundraising group for the LeT following a ban on the JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation by the Pakistani government.
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