Election Commission Suspends Two EROs Over Voter List Irregularities in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit

The Election Commission on Saturday, ordered the suspension of two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) over alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls of the Pilibhit Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh. It also directed the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to add Section 198 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to the existing FIRs against the two officials.

In a letter to UP CEO Navdeep Rinwa, the EC stated that it had reviewed the CEO's report and decided to order the suspension of Mayank Goswami and Hemant Chaudhary.

The matter came to light last month after the Congress and the Samajwadi Party raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the voter list.

13,779 Form 8 Applications Found Without Supporting Documents

On October 22, the CEO acknowledged the irregularities and said that legal action would be taken against the two EROs. According to the CEO, a computer assistant had entered 13,779 Form 8 applications seeking corrections to voter details between May 31 and August 29. However, no physical application forms or supporting documents were found in the office.

Of the 13,779 applications, 10,470 were approved, while 3,309 were rejected. The inquiry found irregularities in all 10,470 approved entries.

The Election Commission directed that Mayank Goswami and Hemant Chaudhary, the two EROs of the 127-Pilibhit Assembly constituency, be suspended with immediate effect. It also stated that their chargesheets should be submitted to the Commission for further review. The officers cannot be reinstated without prior approval from the EC.

EC Directs Addition of BNS Section 198 to FIRs

The Commission further directed that Section 198 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with a public servant disobeying the law, be added to the existing FIRs against the two officials and computer operator Anil Kumar.

The EC also directed the authorities to ensure that the cases against the accused are pursued rigorously in the concerned court.

Additionally, the Commission sought a report within seven days on the scrutiny of electoral rolls in Pilibhit.

It also directed all District Election Officers (DEOs) and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) in Uttar Pradesh to thoroughly re-examine electoral rolls under their jurisdiction, particularly the data entries related to additions, deletions and modifications made through Forms 6, 7 and 8.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh CEO ordered the deactivation of login credentials assigned to computer operators at ERO offices across the state following allegations of misuse.