Pilibhit voter list controversy intensifies as Congress alleges 13,150 name changes during SIR, prompting an inquiry and questions over electoral transparency
NEW DELHI: Alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls of Pilibhit Sadar Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh have intensified the political debate over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The Congress has alleged that officials changed the names of 13,150 voters while retaining their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers and serial numbers. The controversy has also drawn attention to BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Singh Gangwar’s victory in the 2022 Assembly election.
The allegations have emerged amid protests by opposition parties and student organisations against the SIR process and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Protesters have raised concerns about voter deletions, electoral transparency and the protection of eligible citizens’ voting rights.
Congress Alleges Changes to 13,150 Voter Names
On October 21, the Congress raised allegations of widespread irregularities in the electoral rolls of Pilibhit Sadar. Rajendra Pal Gautam, the party’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge, claimed that officials changed the names of 13,150 voters between July and September while retaining their EPIC numbers and serial numbers.
The Congress also alleged that officials removed 804 voters who continued to live in the constituency. The party further claimed that officials added approximately 2,600 names of people who allegedly did not reside in the area.
Congress leaders said their workers examined voter records at the booth level and collected documents relating to the disputed entries. The party also indicated that it would pursue the matter through legal channels.
Following these allegations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa ordered an investigation and directed officials to review the electoral rolls. He also instructed election authorities to examine records in other constituencies across the state.
A subsequent detailed inquiry flagged 10,470 entries linked to 13,779 Form 8 applications. The inquiry also found that officials lacked supporting documents and records for the entries under scrutiny. Authorities subsequently initiated legal action against three people connected with the electoral roll preparation process.
However, investigators must establish individual responsibility and determine whether anyone deliberately manipulated voter records before reaching final conclusions.
How the Pilibhit Case Connects to the SIR Protests
Opposition parties and student organisations have held protests against the SIR exercise in several places. Protesters argue that errors in electoral rolls could remove eligible voters from the lists and threaten their right to vote.
Opposition leaders have demanded greater accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for more transparency in the voter registration and revision process. The Congress has also sought judicial intervention in the Pilibhit case.
The investigation in Pilibhit has added an administrative dimension to the wider political debate. However, discrepancies in voter records do not automatically prove deliberate electoral manipulation. Investigators must establish how many entries contain genuine errors, how those errors occurred and who bears responsibility.
Congress Questions Sanjay Singh Gangwar’s Victory Margin
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate highlighted the 2022 Assembly election results while raising concerns about the alleged irregularities. In that election, BJP candidate Sanjay Singh Gangwar defeated Samajwadi Party candidate Shailendra Gangwar by approximately 6,970 votes.
The Congress argues that allegations involving thousands of voter entries warrant a thorough and impartial investigation. The party has raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process and the protection of voters’ rights.
However, the number of disputed entries alone does not establish that the alleged irregularities affected the election result. The available reports do not establish any direct involvement by Gangwar in the alleged changes to the electoral roll. Authorities must establish the facts before anyone draws a direct connection between the allegations and his victory.
Electoral Transparency Remains at the Centre of the Debate
The Pilibhit controversy has brought electoral roll accuracy, administrative accountability and transparency in the SIR process into focus. Election authorities must correct verified errors, identify those responsible for irregularities and explain how the discrepancies occurred.
For organisations protesting against SIR, the case reinforces demands for transparent verification and safeguards against the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters. For the Election Commission, the investigation presents an opportunity to demonstrate that authorities can maintain accurate electoral rolls and protect citizens’ voting rights.
The final findings and the Election Commission’s response will determine responsibility in the Pilibhit case and help clarify its implications for the wider debate over SIR.
