Did the ECI Really Delete Voter Names in Delhi?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The ECI firmly denies allegations from AAP regarding voter name deletions.
- A detailed response was previously provided to AAP regarding similar claims.
- The accusations have sparked a debate on electoral integrity.
- The BJP challenges AAP to formalize their allegations with the ECI.
- Political tensions are high as elections approach.
New Delhi, Sep 19 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday firmly denied the allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Saurabh Bhardwaj regarding the illegal removal of voters' names from the electoral rolls in the city. The ECI stated that it had previously addressed similar claims made by Bhardwaj's party colleague Atishi back in January.
In a statement issued by the poll panel, it was mentioned, “In response to the press conference conducted by Saurabh Bharadwaj today, we clarify that the ECI had provided a comprehensive reply spanning 76 pages, which included 7 annexures, containing reports from the CEO/DEO on 13.01.2025 to Atishi, who was the then Chief Minister of Delhi.
The ECI also shared documents on its X account that had been previously sent to Atishi to counter claims of a significant increase in both voter addition and deletion requests within the Voters List of the New Delhi Assembly Constituency, a seat from which former CM and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal faced defeat in the February elections.
Earlier, during a press conference, Bharadwaj reiterated concerns regarding voter list manipulation, which had been raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and were echoed by Kejriwal and Atishi eight months prior.
Bharadwaj's criticism of the ECI was met with backlash from the Delhi BJP, who labeled it unfounded.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva challenged both Bharadwaj and Kejriwal to file an official complaint with the ECI, asserting, “If you genuinely believe these are your voters, you should have ensured their names were included on the electoral rolls.”
Sachdeva emphasized that for the past 26 years, Delhi has been governed by Kejriwal and Congress, and public awareness exists regarding how they have handled infiltrators in the city.
He alleged that the Kejriwal administration enabled the entry of infiltrators into the capital with AC train tickets from West Bengal, and pointed out that substantial evidence was uncovered during a police initiative just before elections.
Sachdeva clarified that residents from all over India—whether Punjab, Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, or Haryana—have the right to live in Delhi, yet those who reside here illegally or in hiding may face action from the ECI, and the BJP will always back such measures.
He noted that since the ECI announced the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Delhi, alongside the rest of the nation, both Bharadwaj and AAP have developed a sense of apprehension.
AAP leaders are concerned that the false voters cultivated by previous administrations in Delhi may now be brought to light. The BJP has vigorously raised the issue of counterfeit voters during elections, and the results of this effort are apparent, remarked the BJP leader.