SP President alleges fake voting, voter intimidation, and discriminatory practices against Muslim women
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the local administration of engaging in large-scale rigging during the Malkipur by-election, claiming the democratic process was severely undermined. Yadav’s accusations included allegations of fake voting, voter intimidation, and the harassment of Muslim women at the polling booths.
Speaking to the press, former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh stated that the BJP’s victory in the by-election was not the result of fair voting but rather the outcome of manipulative and undemocratic tactics. “The police administration worked in an undemocratic manner, supporting BJP goons who committed illegalities to influence the outcome,” Yadav said. “They were given a free hand, and the election code of conduct was blatantly violated,” he added.
According to Yadav, Samajwadi Party booth leaders were threatened and intimidated at several polling stations, making it nearly impossible to monitor the election process effectively. He also accused BJP supporters of manipulating the vote by bringing in outsiders to cast fraudulent votes. Yadav pointed to booth number 158, where he claimed BJP-affiliated individuals had orchestrated fake voting, with one person allegedly casting six votes. “This is not just a minor issue—it’s a deliberate attempt to undermine the election process,” Yadav added. “The Election Commission must take strict action against those responsible.”
The SP leader also condemned incidents of voter suppression, particularly incidents involving Muslim women. “Muslim women were harassed under the pretext of identifying them by removing their veils. This is an unacceptable violation of their rights,” Yadav stated, calling the actions discriminatory and unjust.
Yadav went on to detail several complaints lodged with the Election Commission regarding issues at multiple polling stations. He mentioned that voting machines malfunctioned in Amani Ganj for over two hours, preventing many voters from casting their ballots. “Despite complaints, no action was taken, and people were left frustrated and disenfranchised,” he added.
In response to the allegations, the Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 62.25% by 5 pm on election day, though Yadav disputed this figure, suggesting it did not reflect the actual situation on the ground. The SP has called for an independent investigation into the alleged rigging and has urged the Election Commission to take action against the officers implicated in the violations.
The accusations from the Samajwadi Party have ignited a political firestorm in Uttar Pradesh, with critics accusing the BJP of using its influence to skew the election results. As the debate over the Malkipur by-election continues, questions remain about the integrity of the voting process and whether the allegations of electoral manipulation will be properly addressed.
