Samajwadi Party accuses BJP of targeting Muslim voters, raising alarms over electoral fairness across Uttar Pradesh
LUCKNOW — The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Uttar Pradesh, intended to update and verify the state’s electoral rolls, has sparked widespread concerns among citizens, particularly in Muslim-majority neighbourhoods of the state’s capital city. Despite avenues for submitting forms both through Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and the official digital portal, residents report significant difficulties in accessing and completing the required documentation.
“The process seems simple in theory, but on the ground, citizens are facing delays and repeated obstacles,” said Nasreen Fatima, a resident of Old Lucknow. “Many of us have voted consistently for years, yet we struggle to get the correct forms now. It feels like we are being deliberately left behind.”
In response, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has highlighted hardships faced by Muslim voters, alleging deliberate targeting. Officials argue that these obstacles are not coincidental but reflect a broader strategy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to undermine sections of the electorate presumed to withhold political support.
“In Bihar, the BJP forged hegemony through ballot pilferage; in Uttar Pradesh, however, the SP interposes formidable resistance,” stated Deepak Ranjan, the party spokesperson. “We have observed patterns where legitimate voters’ entries are altered or removed, while non-genuine entries are intercalated to skew results. It is unacceptable in a democracy that prides itself on constitutional rights.”
SP leaders allege that families in Muslim-majority enclaves are receiving fewer SIR forms than entitled. Households where seven members voted in 2024, for instance, reportedly received only two forms this year, creating confusion and potential disenfranchisement.
Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party president, has mobilised party volunteers for door-to-door awareness campaigns to assist citizens in completing forms correctly and monitoring irregularities. “Our volunteers are working tirelessly in communities that feel marginalised. Every voter has a right to be heard, and we will not allow that right to be compromised,” he said.
SIR camps have been set up in historically Muslim neighbourhoods such as Aminabad, Chowk, and Daliganj. Despite these measures, residents report long queues, missing forms, and difficulties locating their names in past electoral records.
“We checked the 2003 voter list and our family members were either missing or incorrectly recorded,” explained Bilal Ahmed, a Chowk resident. “Sometimes, our family names appear under matrilineal titles instead of patrilineal ones. It’s confusing and frustrating. We are regular voters, yet the system seems to ignore our existence.”
BLOs say form distribution is constrained by existing stock, leaving many Muslim electors without the necessary documents. In response, the SP has launched support centres to guide citizens through the SIR process.
“Many voters are encountering bureaucratic obstacles that prevent them from exercising their constitutional rights. Our teams are here to ensure that no eligible citizen is denied participation,” emphasised Deepak Ranjan.
The camps also help voters verify details against past electoral rolls. Recurring problems identified by the SP include misclassification, duplication, and omission of registered voters, especially in Muslim-majority wards.
While the Election Commission reports that over 99 per cent of forms have been dispatched, independent surveys in Lucknow indicate that 25-30 per cent of eligible voters, particularly in Muslim neighbourhoods, have yet to receive their forms.
“It’s clear that the distribution is uneven. In some areas, families with multiple eligible voters receive only partial forms, forcing them to travel extensively or wait in long queues. This creates unnecessary hurdles for ordinary citizens,” said Rashid Khan, a local activist.
The SP contends that the Election Commission is functioning under BJP pressure, limiting impartiality. “The commission should serve all citizens equally. Instead, we see clear signs of bias that affect the Muslim electorate disproportionately,” Deepak Ranjan asserted.
The BJP Minority Wing has assured voters that their franchise will be protected. Kunwar Basit Ali, BJP Minority Wing Provincial Convener, stated, “The franchise of every denizen of Hindustan shall be consecrated, irrespective of confessional affiliation—a constitutional sine qua non. Deficiencies, wheresoever manifest, shall be expeditiously emended. Forms are inscribed through digital conduits and BLO mediation. All inscribed upon the electoral ledger have received their allotments. Anomalies in voter rosters surface periodically and are methodically amended.”
Despite these assurances, Muslim residents remain sceptical, citing repeated administrative hurdles. Observers note that procedural corrections are insufficient if distribution coincides with limited access in heavily Muslim wards, raising suspicions of deliberate marginalisation.
The controversy over SIR forms in Lucknow reflects wider patterns across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In Pilibhit, SIR revisions have identified 58,532 voters as absentee, deceased, or relocated; purges reportedly impact Muslim voters disproportionately. Critics also note that Bihar’s Panchayat polls in 2026 will revert decennially reserved seats to the general category, potentially affecting minority representation.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak inaugurated the “Kundi Khatkao” door-to-door awareness campaign under SIR. While officially educational, opposition parties view it as politically motivated to influence targeted voter participation.
The SIR process has become a flashpoint in SP-BJP political rivalry. Allegations of targeting Muslim voters, though not new, have gained attention due to irregularities in form distribution. Analysts warn that the process may influence voter confidence ahead of state elections.
“Ensuring that every eligible voter can submit their form is fundamental to a functioning democracy,” said Dr Ayesha Siddiqui, political analyst. “If certain communities perceive that they are being systematically disenfranchised, it undermines trust in the entire electoral process and could have lasting political consequences.”
The SP has vowed to continue monitoring the process closely, with Akhilesh Yadav urging volunteers to provide assistance in every ward and mosque precinct. “We will not allow the voices of our community to be silenced or ignored,” he affirmed.
The tribulations in completing SIR forms in Lucknow’s Muslim-majority areas reveal a complex interplay of administrative inefficiencies, political strategies, and citizen activism. While officials insist that corrective measures are in place, perceptions of targeted marginalisation persist among residents.
As the December 4 deadline approaches, the efforts of the Samajwadi Party, PDA volunteers, and local activists will be crucial in safeguarding electoral rights. Ensuring access, transparency, and equity in the SIR process is a test of democratic resilience in Uttar Pradesh, with implications for India’s wider political landscape.
“We are not asking for special treatment; we are asking for fairness,” said Farida Begum. “Every voter matters and every vote must count. Our voices cannot be ignored.”
