SP Chief Alleges Systematic Voter Deletion in Uttar Pradesh
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has made serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission of India, claiming they are planning to delete more than 50,000 votes from constituencies won by the INDIA bloc and his party in the 2024 elections. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister expressed these concerns on November 22, 2025, raising questions about the timing and methodology of the voter list cleanup exercise.
Objection to Voter Roll Cleanup During Wedding Season
Yadav strongly objected to the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of voter lists being conducted during the ongoing wedding season in Uttar Pradesh. He argued that this timing would prevent many eligible voters from verifying their registration status and taking necessary corrective measures. The Samajwadi Party chief specifically demanded that the poll panel extend the timeline for the voter roll cleanup exercise to ensure maximum participation and transparency.
The political leader emphasized that conducting such crucial electoral procedures during the wedding season, when many families are preoccupied with ceremonies and travel, could lead to legitimate voters being inadvertently removed from the electoral rolls. This, he suggested, would disproportionately affect constituencies where the opposition INDIA alliance had performed well in the previous elections.
Demand for Extended Timeline and Greater Transparency
Akhilesh Yadav's statement highlights growing concerns among opposition parties about the integrity of electoral processes in Uttar Pradesh, India's most politically significant state. The demand for an extended timeline reflects apprehension about the potential disenfranchisement of voters in key constituencies.
The allegation specifically targets seats won by the INDIA bloc and Samajwadi Party in the 2024 elections, suggesting a politically motivated approach to voter list management. Political observers note that such claims could significantly impact public trust in electoral institutions ahead of future state and national elections.
The Election Commission of India has yet to officially respond to these allegations. However, the controversy underscores the ongoing tensions between ruling and opposition parties regarding electoral integrity and the administration of democratic processes in the country's most populous state.
