‘EVM faults didn’t affect voting process’

We removed names of those who already cast their vote in rural local bodies’ polls, says SEC

LUCKNOW: Even as the State Election Commission (SEC) defended itself over electoral roll anomalies, political parties blamed it for discrepancies in the voters’ lists.

During phase 2 of the civic polls on Sunday, a large number of voters had found their names missing from the voters’ lists.

Reacting to this, state election commissioner SK Agarwal said: “The SEC has deleted the names of a large number of voters whose names figured on voters’ lists of rural local bodies’ election. A large number of voters who have houses in villages as well as cities have got themselves enrolled in both the electoral rolls – rural local bodies as well as urban local bodies.”

The State Election Commission removed the names of voters who already exercised their franchise in rural local bodies’ polls.

The names of these voters might figure in the electoral roll prepared by Election Commission of India for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha election, he added.

The State Election Commission has removed the names of 80.59 lakh voters from the list and added the names of 94 lakh new voters as well, he said.

The commission has put the voters’ list on its website. A voter could easily check if his/ her name figures on the electoral roll and also easily download the voter slip and locate his/her booth.

The SEC had given advertisements

A large number of voters who have houses in villages as well as cities have got themselves enrolled in both the electoral rolls – rural local bodies as well as urban local bodies.

SK AGARWAL, state election commissioner

in newspapers to inform voters to locate their names and booths, he said.

Agarwal further said faults were reported in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in various districts.

It made no impact on the voting process as surplus EVMs were in stock and faulty ones were replaced within 20 to 30 minutes.

Over the demand of some organisations for urdu voters’ lists, Agarwal said the lists had been prepared in ‘Devnagari’ script according to the rules of the UP Nagar Nigam Act and UP Nagar Palika Parishad Act.

“Only after the state legislature assembly brings amendment in the Act, the electoral roll will be published in Urdu. The SEC had made representation to the state government over the issue,” he said.

In reply to a question, Agarwal said leaders of political parties who are releasing statements over polling should submit proof and figure to the SEC.

The State Election Commission will probe into the charges and take appropriate action, he added.

Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, in a tweet, said a large number of voters’ names were found missing from the voters’ list.

“This type of digital India cannot take us forward,” he said.

BSP state unit president, Ramachal Rajbhar said the discrepancies in the voters’ lists raise a question mark over the sanctity of the election.

A large numbers of voters were deprived of their right to franchise.

“The BSP has already registered its complaint with the SEC,” he said.