Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP-led administration of using government machinery to prevent SP supporters from voting in the ongoing bypolls for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing a press conference at the SP headquarters in Lucknow, Yadav alleged that police and administrative officials were obstructing voters aligned with his party. He urged SP supporters to remain undeterred and return to polling booths if stopped.
“If police or officials prevent you from voting, go back and try again. Such intimidation should not deter voters,” Yadav said. He called for the removal of certain officials, accusing them of bias and malpractices during the polling process.
Yadav further instructed party workers to document any incidents of voter suppression. “Capture videos and take photographs of officials involved in such activities. The BJP’s double-engine government is falling apart, and now they are resorting to dishonesty to win elections,” he alleged.
Without naming Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Yadav claimed internal strife within the BJP. “Delhi and both Deputy Chief Ministers are against him. The Chief Minister is fighting to save his position. Despite this, the SP is set to win all nine bypoll seats. Not a single MLA stands with the Chief Minister,” he asserted.
Yadav also targeted the Election Commission for failing to address electoral malpractices. “It appears that the Election Commission is ignoring these irregularities. They neither see nor hear what is happening on the ground,” he said.
Earlier, Yadav took to social media platform X to urge voters to return to polling stations if they were stopped by authorities. He acknowledged that reports of voter suppression had reached the Election Commission, prompting assurances of corrective action.
“The Election Commission has assured that voters who were prevented from casting their ballots can return and vote. If anyone stops you again, report the matter to election officials or party representatives,” he said in his post.
Yadav thanked the Election Commission for its intervention but warned against further malpractices. He stated that video evidence of irregularities would be used to take legal action against erring officials. “Go fearlessly and cast your vote,” he appealed to the public.
EC Suspends police officials:
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday ordered the suspension of police personnel accused of violating guidelines by obstructing voters during the Uttar Pradesh bypolls.
The action follows complaints of voter suppression and allegations by Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav.
Yadav had earlier urged the EC to suspend police officers who were allegedly checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs without authorization, submitting video evidence to support his claims.
Responding to the complaints, district election officers and police superintendents, after verification, suspended the personnel involved in misconduct.
Taking note of the allegations shared on social media, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar instructed the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, district election officers, and returning officers to ensure a fair and smooth voting process.
“All complaints must be addressed promptly, and the complainant should be informed of the action taken, including updates on social media,” Kumar directed.
The EC emphasized that no eligible voter should be prevented from casting their ballot and warned that any bias or misconduct by officials would not be tolerated. “Strict action must be taken against anyone found guilty,” officials quoted the EC as saying.
