News Desk: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate suspension of two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district following revelations of alleged irregularities involving thousands of voter records. The Commission has also directed authorities to strengthen the investigation and conduct a fresh examination of electoral rolls across the state.
The two officials facing suspension are Mayank Goswami and Hemant Chaudhary, who were serving as EROs for the Pilibhit Assembly constituency. In a communication sent to Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa on October 31, the Commission instructed that both officers be suspended with immediate effect. Their charge sheets must be submitted to the Commission for scrutiny, and they cannot be reinstated without its prior approval.
How did the irregularities come to light?
The investigation began after allegations of large-scale manipulation of voter records surfaced in Pilibhit. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party, raised concerns over discrepancies in electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
According to the inquiry, a computer assistant named Anil Kumar allegedly entered 13,779 Form 8 applications through the ECINET portal between May 31 and August 29, 2026. These applications were related to corrections and modifications in voter details.
Of the total applications, 10,470 were approved, while 3,309 were rejected. However, investigators reportedly found that the concerned office did not have the corresponding physical application forms or supporting documents for these entries.
The allegations also included discrepancies involving identical Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers appearing against different voter details.
Stricter legal action ordered
The Election Commission has directed authorities to add Section 198 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, to the existing FIR against the two officers and computer operator Anil Kumar. The provision deals with a public servant disobeying the law with the intention of causing injury.
The Commission has also instructed officials to pursue the legal proceedings rigorously.
Statewide voter list scrutiny
In a significant move, the ECI has directed all District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers in Uttar Pradesh to thoroughly re-examine voter records, particularly additions, deletions and corrections processed through Forms 6, 7 and 8.
The Pilibhit District Election Officer has been asked to submit a report covering all four Assembly constituencies within one week. The Commission has also sought an action-taken report concerning the computer operator and the role of five Assistant Electoral Registration Officers within three days.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh CEO Navdeep Rinwa ordered the statewide deactivation of ECINET login IDs assigned to computer assistants at voter registration centres.
The developments have intensified scrutiny of electoral roll management, digital access and verification procedures ahead of future elections.
Reader Comments 0