49.3 per cent voter turnout recorded
The Election Commission, on Wednesday, ordered the suspension of several police personnel for violating guidelines on voter ID checks during the Uttar Pradesh bypolls in nine assembly constituencies which recorded around 49.3 per cent voter turnout.
Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinva said the voter turnout was 67.1 per cent in Meerapur, 57.7 per cent in Kundarki. 33.3 per cent in Ghaziabad, 46.3 per cent in Khair, 54.1 per cent in Karhal, 49.1 per cent in Sisamau. 43.4 per cent in Phulpur, 56.9 per cent in Katheri and 50.4 per cent in Majhwan.
The EC action came after serious allegations from both the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party regarding voter suppression and irregularities at polling stations.
The action came from Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar to district election officers and superintendents of police to ensure impartial and smooth voting. Officials were instructed to address all complaints and notify complainants via social media, tagging them in updates to maintain transparency.
The SP accused police personnel of preventing voters from casting their ballots, particularly in Meerapur assembly constituency of Muzaffarnagar district. The SP alleged that certain communities were targeted and prevented from casting their votes.
The BJP dismissed these allegations and instead requested that identity verification for burqa-clad voters be intensified. The BJP alleged “fake voting” in some assembly constituencies, including Sisamau.
SP president Akhilesh Yadav urged the EC and the Supreme Court to intervene, calling for immediate action against those responsible for voter suppression based on video evidence.
“All police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs should be immediately suspended on the basis of video evidence,” he said.
He also emphasised that police have no right to check Aadhaar or identity cards, stating that only polling officers are permitted to do so.
SP candidate from Meerapur, Sumbul Rana, accused police personnel of harassing voters and blocking their participation in the election. “We are going from village to village; people are being harassed and are not being allowed to vote. Police officers are troubling people, telling them that they cannot vote,” Rana claimed.
She added that in areas like Nayagaon, Nagla Buzuk and Sambalheda, voters were repeatedly asked for multiple IDs, even when they presented the required documents. Rana further alleged that complaints were being raised but were not being addressed by the authorities.
National Democratic Alliance candidate of Rashtriya Lok Dal, Mithlesh Pal, claimed that people from outside Meerapur constituency were being brought in for “bogus voting” and were being accommodated in madrasas and schools. Pal also alleged that “women in burqas” were being used for such activities.
The RLD candidate defended the police actions in checking voter IDs, saying it was necessary to prevent bogus voting. “All this is happening because of the flexible attitude of the police. We have made a complaint but police are unable to do anything at the moment,” she added.
In contrast, the BJP raised concerns about burqa-clad women voters, claiming that their faces did not match the photos on their identity cards.
BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla alleged that the SP, fearing defeat in the bypolls, had enlisted external disruptive elements in the voting areas.
“According to several media reports, the faces of women wearing burqas are not matching with their identity cards,” Shukla said.
The BJP appealed to the EC and local administration to ensure strict enforcement of voter ID checks to prevent any fraudulent voting.
The SP’s media cell also highlighted alleged poll code violations, particularly at the Kundarki constituency in Moradabad. The party claimed that its agents were not allowed near the polling stations. The district administration dismissed the allegation, saying it was unfounded. Moradabad District Magistrate Anuj Singh confirmed that no irregularities had been found after verifying the complaints, stating that voting was proceeding smoothly with adequate security.
In Kanpur Nagar, SP candidate Naseem Solanki also raised concerns about biased behaviour of the administration, citing complaints from party voters about being treated unfairly.
Meanwhile, tension escalated in Kakroli village during voting for the Meerapur assembly bypoll on Wednesday when two groups clashed, hurling stones at each other. The cause of the confrontation was not immediately clear.
Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh confirmed that police intervened promptly and dispersed the crowd using mild force. “The situation was brought under control and voting continues peacefully,” Singh said.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Mohammad Arshad alleged that voter turnout in Kakroli was low because police were preventing people from leaving their homes. He accused the police of “harassing voters” and likened their actions to “enemies of the people”. Arshad further claimed that AIMIM workers were being detained by the police.
Polling was held for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, including Katehari, Karhal, Ghaziabad, Sisamau, Meerapur, Phulpur, Kundarki, Khair and Majhawan.
Polling began at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm. The votes will be counted on November 23.
