Lucknow,

07 Jan (HS): The publication of the draft voter list in Uttar Pradesh has

generated a huge political debate after the Election Commission of India (ECI)

removed around 2.89 crore names. Out of the state's almost 16 crore voters,

12.55 crore submitted enumeration forms under the Self-Identification Registry

(SIR) procedure. Opposition parties, notably the Congress and Samajwadi Party,

have denounced the process as a massive conspiracy and accused the ECI of wholesale

deletions without adding new voters.

An

opposition leader stated, 'The objective of the SIR was never to enlist

legitimate voters,' claiming that the system was purposefully difficult to

exclude eligible residents.” The Samajwadi Party further stated that Booth

Level Officers (BLOs) were subjected to excessive pressure throughout the

census, resulting in health problems and fatalities.

However,

the ECI maintained that the list is only a draft and that individuals may

verify deletion grounds on the official website, rejecting the charges as unfounded

and claiming that mass deletions are not taking place.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi