Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP of Voter Fraud in Uttar Pradesh
Akhilesh Yadav, a prominent leader of the Samajwadi Party, has leveled serious accusations against the BJP, claiming they are attempting to manipulate voter lists in Uttar Pradesh. Following the removal of millions of names during a recent review, he has urged the public to check their voter registration status to ensure their votes remain valid. Yadav's statements highlight concerns over electoral integrity and the pressure being exerted on administrative officials by BJP leaders. As the electoral process unfolds, significant participation has been noted, with deadlines for claims and objections approaching. This situation raises questions about the fairness of the upcoming elections in the state.
| Jan 8, 2026, 16:12 IST
Allegations of Voter Manipulation
On Thursday, Akhilesh Yadav, a member of the Samajwadi Party, accused the BJP of attempting to create fake votes in Uttar Pradesh. This claim follows the removal of 2.8 million names from the voter list during a Special Intensive Review (SIR). He urged the public to verify their names to ensure their votes are not compromised. Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav emphasized the importance of checking the voter list upon arriving at polling stations.
Public Assurance and BJP's Response
Yadav stated that citizens should feel secure about their votes and not fall for the BJP's misleading propaganda. He noted that for the first time, BJP leaders appear to be anxious about the SIR in Uttar Pradesh. According to him, BJP officials are pressuring administrative authorities to increase the number of voters. He warned that if the BJP engages in fraudulent voting, members of the Samajwadi Party, who support the 'PDA Guardian', will file FIRs against them. He claimed that the BJP is on a mission to cast fake votes, as evidenced by the significant number of names removed from the list, and mentioned that the Chief Minister is directing officials to inflate voter counts.
Details from the Chief Electoral Officer
On Tuesday, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh announced the publication of the draft voter list following the completion of the census phase of the SIR. A total of 28.9 million names were removed from the draft list. During a press briefing, Navdeep Rinwa stated, "We received approximately 125.5 million census forms, indicating that this many individuals have signed to include their names in the draft list. Among these, 4.6 million voters were deceased, while 21.7 million had migrated or changed their residence. Additionally, 2.5 million voters were registered at multiple locations. Overall, 28.9 million names were excluded from the draft voter list."
Voter Participation and Upcoming Deadlines
According to the CEO, as of the voter list dated October 27, 2025, out of a total of 154,430,092 voters, 125,556,025 had submitted their census forms by December 26, 2025, reflecting significant participation in the first phase of the SIR. The period for filing claims and objections is set from January 6, 2026, to February 6, 2026. Any current or potential voter can file claims to include eligible voters or remove ineligible names. A total of 403 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and 2042 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) are prepared to investigate these matters by February 27, 2026. Additionally, more AEROs will be notified as needed to address claims and objections within the stipulated timeframe.