3 hrs ago
BJP-linked men filed thousands of voter deletion pleas in Uttarakhand
During a review of voter lists in Uttarakhand, five men connected to the BJP asked officials to remove thousands of names.
A news investigation said the people they challenged were all Muslims.
One man in Kichha filed most of the objections in that area.
Many objections said the voters were registered in another place.
A former BJP legislator said many people appeared on voter lists in both Uttarakhand and nearby Uttar Pradesh districts.
The BJP said making an objection does not automatically remove anyone.
Election officials said they will check each case.
They also said voters must receive notice and a chance to explain before deletion.
Opposition parties worry the process could be used to target voters.
Five men linked to the BJP filed about 6,500 voter-deletion objections during Uttarakhand’s electoral-roll revision, according to Newslaundry.
The investigation said all voters targeted by the five objectors were Muslims, with individual filings ranging from 230 to 4,855.
In Kichha, BJP booth-level agent Rajesh Tiwari filed 4,855 of 4,857 objections at one stage, later reaching 6,412 duplicate-enrolment objections.
A former BJP MLA said an internal review found more than 8,000 alleged duplicate registrations involving Kichha and neighboring Uttar Pradesh districts.
The BJP and election officials said objections do not automatically delete voters and that removals require verification, notice, and an opportunity to respond.
- Who
- Five men linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party, including BJP booth-level agent Rajesh Tiwari, filed the objections; election officials are reviewing them.
- What
- About 6,500 objections seeking voter-name deletions were filed during Uttarakhand’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- Across Uttarakhand’s 70 Assembly constituencies, particularly Kichha in Udham Singh Nagar district.
- When
- During the Special Intensive Revision; the Kichha total had reached nearly 9,300 objections by August 29.
- Why
- The objections generally alleged duplicate or other existing registrations, while opposition parties alleged targeted efforts to remove Muslim voters.
Opposition and critics
BJP and election officials
Possible targeting of Muslim voters
Opposition and critics
Opposition parties alleged that the objections represented a targeted effort to remove voters, and the investigation reported that all voters targeted by the five objectors were Muslims.
BJP and election officials
The BJP said it does not follow a policy of communal exclusion and maintained that objections are subject to official verification.
Whether objections can remove names
Opposition and critics
Critics raised concern that the large volume of objections could affect voter access and electoral rolls.
BJP and election officials
Officials said a Form 7 objection alone cannot remove a voter; the elector must be checked, notified, and given an opportunity to respond.
Duplicate registrations
Opposition and critics
The reported concentration of objections, including one person filing most challenges in Kichha, prompted concerns about selective scrutiny.
BJP and election officials
A former BJP MLA said an internal review allegedly identified more than 8,000 voters registered in both Kichha and neighboring Uttar Pradesh districts.
Key facts
- Reported objections
- About 6,500 deletion objections were filed by five BJP-linked men across Uttarakhand.
- Targeted voters
- Newslaundry reported that all electors targeted by the five were Muslims.
- Largest individual filer
- Rajesh Tiwari filed 4,855 objections at one examined stage in Kichha and later 6,412 duplicate-enrolment objections.
- Kichha total
- Nearly 9,300 objections had been filed in Kichha by August 29.
- Main allegation
- Many applications claimed that voters were already enrolled elsewhere or had duplicate registrations.
- Verification process
- Officials said deletion requires cross-verification, field verification, statutory notice, and an opportunity for the voter to be heard.
Quotes
Vinod Chamoli
Uttarakhand BJP spokesperson
“No deletion would take place without field verification, statutory notice and an opportunity for the elector concerned to be heard.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Filing an objection did not automatically result in deletion of a voter’s name.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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