Wed Nov 20 14:09:02 UTC 2024: ## Election Commission Suspends 7 Police Officers in Uttar Pradesh Amid Bypoll Voting Irregularities

**LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh –** The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended seven police personnel in Uttar Pradesh following allegations of voter intimidation and irregularities during ongoing by-elections. The action comes after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav accused police officers of illegally checking voter and Aadhaar IDs, effectively preventing eligible voters, particularly from certain communities, from casting their ballots.

Yadav’s complaints, supported by video evidence, prompted the ECI to intervene. The suspended officers are from Kanpur, Muzaffarnagar, and Moradabad districts. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar directed state officials to ensure fair voting practices and to swiftly address all complaints, including publicly acknowledging action taken on social media.

The ECI issued a strong statement condemning any biased behavior and vowing strict action against those found guilty of interfering with the electoral process. The statement emphasized that police have no authority to check Aadhaar cards or other identity documents beyond verifying voter IDs.

Following the suspensions, Yadav urged those who were allegedly prevented from voting to return to polling booths and exercise their franchise. He expressed satisfaction with the ECI’s response but had previously criticized the commission for its perceived slow response to the initial complaints, alleging that the ruling BJP was attempting to manipulate the election results.

The ECI’s decisive action aims to maintain the integrity of the by-elections and ensure a fair and transparent voting process for all eligible voters in Uttar Pradesh. The investigation into the alleged irregularities is ongoing.

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