SP files EC complaints over voter deletions, MCC violations in UP Council polls
Synopsis
Voting for 11 UP Legislative Council seats turned contentious on 23 October as the SP filed Election Commission complaints alleging voter name deletions, indelible ink failures, and BJP workers inside restricted zones — from Lucknow and Jhansi to Ghaziabad and Auraiya. With 14.81 lakh eligible voters and 152 candidates in the fray, the allegations — unverified — could trigger formal EC scrutiny of specific booths.
Key Takeaways
The Samajwadi Party filed Election Commission complaints on 23 October alleging polling irregularities in multiple Uttar Pradesh districts during Legislative Council voting.
186 in Lucknow , around 50 of ~150 registered voters reportedly found their names marked 'deleted'.
260 in Jhansi , voters were allegedly not marked with indelible ink, raising double-voting concerns.
BJP agents were allegedly stationed within the 200-metre restricted zone at booths in Ghaziabad's Arthala area; complaints to the ADM reportedly went unaddressed.
A total of 14,81,310 voters are eligible across 2,697 polling stations for 11 seats and 152 candidates; polling closed at 4 pm .
All SP allegations remain unverified; Jalaun DM Sameer stated voting in his district was proceeding peacefully.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday, 23 October filed formal complaints with the Election Commission of India alleging widespread polling irregularities across several districts of Uttar Pradesh, as voting continued for 11 seats across five Graduate and six Teacher constituencies of the state Legislative Council. The allegations — which have not been independently verified — range from voter name deletions and failure to apply indelible ink to alleged intimidation and Model Code of Conduct violations.
Scale of the Election
The biennial Legislative Council elections involve a total of 14,81,310 eligible voters across the state. Authorities have set up 2,697 polling stations to accommodate 152 contesting candidates, with polling scheduled to conclude at 4 pm.
Key Allegations Constituency-Wise
On social media platform X, the Akhilesh Yadav-led party alleged that at Booth No. 186 in Lucknow's Uttar Assembly constituency, around 50 out of approximately 150 previously registered voters found their status marked 'deleted', barring them from casting their votes. The SP urged the Election Commission to investigate immediately and restore voting rights to eligible electors.
At Booth No. 260 in Jhansi's Sadar Assembly constituency, the party alleged that voters were not being marked with indelible ink after voting — raising concerns about the possibility of double voting. In Madhogarh Block of Jalaun's Madhogarh Assembly constituency, complaints alleged that government employees were purportedly forcing Muslim voters to sign documents and cast votes against their will.
In Auraiya's Bidhuna Assembly constituency, SP accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of creating disturbances. At polling booths 234, 235, 236, and 237 at Kailashwati Inter College in Arthala, Sahibabad (Ghaziabad), the SP alleged that BJP agents were stationed within the restricted 200-metre zone around polling stations, displaying party flags and influencing voters. The party also claimed teachers were being transported to polling stations in private school buses. According to SP, no action was taken despite complaints being submitted to the Additional District Magistrate (ADM).
What SP Leaders Said on the Ground
SP MLA Ragini Sonkar, after casting her vote in Varanasi, alleged that the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) was threatening to cancel school recognition and terminate teachers' jobs. She said candidates had to directly confront officials during the campaign over voter intimidation complaints. No response from the officials concerned was available at the time of reporting.
SP MP from Firozabad, Akshay Yadav, reported alleged bogus voting from multiple locations and claimed BJP leaders were sitting inside polling stations checking voter slips. He asserted that a fair election process would ensure SP's victory. SP candidate Kanti Singh, contesting from the Lucknow Graduate Constituency, said while voting was broadly proceeding smoothly, reports of voters being misled were trickling in from several districts — including from a polling station in Hardoi's Balamau area.
Incidents and Administration's Response
In Gorakhpur, a verbal altercation broke out inside a polling booth between SP candidate Dr Sanjay Tripathi and BJP Mandal In-charge Ashish Gupta over statements made on polling premises. In Sitapur, SP leaders reportedly removed and tore down anti-SP posters displayed along National Highway-30.
Countering the SP's claims, in Jalaun, District Magistrate Sameer and Superintendent of Police Suresh Chandra Rawat inspected the polling centre at the District Council premises in Orai. The DM stated that voting in the district was proceeding peacefully, while the SP assured that no security lapses would be permitted. The Election Commission's formal response to the complaints remained awaited.
This is not the first time UP Legislative Council elections have been marred by allegations of polling irregularities — complaints of booth management and voter influence have featured in previous cycles as well. With results pending, the SP's complaints could trigger formal EC inquiries into specific booths.
Point of View
Particularly the booth-level voter deletion claims in Lucknow and the indelible ink lapse in Jhansi, demands a credible EC response rather than a routine dismissal. Legislative Council Teacher and Graduate constituency elections rarely attract national attention, but they are intensely fought proxy battles for ground-level political control in UP. The pattern of complaints — with named booths, named officials, and named BJP figures — suggests the SP has fielded organised polling agents, which itself indicates how seriously both parties are treating what is technically a second-tier election.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UP Legislative Council elections being held on 23 October 2026?
These are biennial elections for 11 seats across five Graduate and six Teacher constituencies of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council. A total of 14,81,310 eligible voters and 152 candidates are participating across 2,697 polling stations statewide.
What specific irregularities has the SP alleged?
The SP has alleged voter name deletions at a Lucknow booth, failure to apply indelible ink in Jhansi, alleged coercion of Muslim voters in Jalaun, BJP agents inside the 200-metre restricted zone in Ghaziabad, and disturbances by BJP leaders in Auraiya. All allegations are as yet unverified.
Has the Election Commission responded to the SP's complaints?
The Election Commission's formal response to the complaints was not available at the time of reporting. In Jalaun, District Magistrate Sameer stated voting was proceeding peacefully, and the Superintendent of Police said no security lapses would be allowed.
Who is the SP's key figure in these elections and what have they said?
The party is led by Akhilesh Yadav , who posted the booth-specific allegations on X. On the ground, SP MLA Ragini Sonkar, MP Akshay Yadav, and candidate Kanti Singh all raised complaints about intimidation, bogus voting, and voter confusion at various booths.
Are these the first such allegations in UP Legislative Council elections?
No. Allegations of booth management, voter intimidation, and Model Code of Conduct violations have featured in previous UP Legislative Council election cycles as well, making this a recurring pattern rather than an isolated incident.
