"We are alert; if any incidents occur, we will report to ECI": Samajwadi Party leader on UP by-polls
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chand said on Tuesday that they have received many complaints regarding officers and Booth Level Officers (BLO) and they have informed the Election Commission to take an action.
Speaking to ANI, Chand said, "We have released a helpline number for voting-related issues. If you face any problems, please contact us, and we will take up the matter with the Election Commission. Many complaints have been received regarding officers and BLOs (Booth Level Officers), and we have informed the Election Commission about these and demanded action. We hope the elections are conducted impartially and without any intimidation or pressure."
He further alleged that during the Lok Sabha elections, where Samajwadi Party votes were strong, the administration engaged in unfair practices.
"Votes of Samajwadi Party supporters were cut in the 2022 Assembly polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. We have learned a lot from these experiences. This time, we have informed the Election Commission about the officers responsible for irregularities. We are alert, and if any incidents occur, we will report them to the Election Commission. We are fully prepared," the SP leader asserted further.
Notably, nine seats in Uttar Pradesh including Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari and Majhawan in Uttar Pradesh will go to voting on November 20 with results set to be declared on November 23.
Earlier today, Samajwadi Party Uttar Pradesh Chief Shyam Lal Pal wrote to the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and urged that no police personnel should check the voter ID of any voter in the state by-polls scheduled on November 20.
In the letter, SP's Shyam Lal Pal sought that a written order be issued to the Returning Officer, Returning Officer/District Magistrate, General Observer, and Police officials that "no police personnel will check the voter ID of any voter" on November 20 (the date of polling).
The letter stated that the right to check voter IDs lies with the Polling Officer.
The Samajwadi Party leader also alleged that during the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Police officials deployed at polling stations misused their power and position, and made SP supporters, especially Muslim women voters remove their veils, causing fear among the women.
