Tue Jan 06 19:59:09 UTC 2026: ### BJP Accused of Electoral Roll Manipulation in Assam Ahead of Elections

The Story:

Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of plotting to manipulate electoral rolls across Assam in preparation for upcoming Assembly elections. In a social media statement released on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Gogoi alleged that top BJP leaders discussed a plan to delete the names of 10,000 voters in at least 60 constituencies and add new names favorable to the party. He claims the alleged manipulation was discussed during a video conference held by state BJP president Dilip Saikia with party MLAs and district presidents on January 4, 2026.

Gogoi further claimed that MLAs and district presidents were given until January 12, 2026, to provide booth-wise lists of voters considered unfavorable to the BJP. The Chief Minister dismissed the Congress’s concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and stated that objections and corrections can be made through established procedures. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had also earlier alleged similar attempts to manipulate electoral rolls in Muslim-majority areas of western Assam’s Bajali district.

Key Points:

  • Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi accuses the BJP of planning to manipulate electoral rolls in Assam.
  • The alleged plan involves deleting 10,000 voters’ names in at least 60 constituencies.
  • Dilip Saikia, the state BJP president, reportedly held a video conference on January 4, 2026, to discuss the alleged manipulation.
  • MLAs and district presidents were reportedly given a deadline of January 12, 2026, to submit lists of voters who do not vote for the BJP.
  • The Chief Minister has dismissed concerns and urges the opposition to follow established procedures for raising objections.
  • Draft electoral rolls published in December 2025 recorded 2,52,01,624 electors in Assam, a 1.35% increase.
  • During the SIR, 4,78,992 dead voters, 5,23,680 shifted electors, and 53,619 cases of multiple entries were identified.

Critical Analysis:

  • While the provided context doesn’t explicitly reveal a pattern of electoral manipulation at a national level, the mention of a “Delhi demolition drive” could potentially point to politically motivated actions, where authorities may misuse power. This could suggest a broader trend where governing bodies are perceived to be acting in ways that benefit them politically, although further information is needed to confirm this.
  • In light of these concerns, the electoral manipulation accusations in Assam take on greater significance, as it highlights the potential for abuse of power and the need for transparent and accountable electoral processes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Accusations of electoral manipulation undermine the democratic process and public trust.
  • The integrity of electoral rolls is crucial for fair and credible elections.
  • Transparency and accountability are essential to prevent potential manipulation and ensure that every citizen’s vote counts.
  • Independent oversight and judicial inquiry may be necessary to address serious allegations of electoral misconduct.

Impact Analysis:

  • The allegations could lead to increased scrutiny of the electoral process in Assam, potentially delaying elections while investigations are conducted.
  • Public confidence in the electoral system may be eroded if the allegations are not thoroughly investigated and addressed.
  • The outcome of the upcoming elections could be contested if credible evidence of manipulation emerges, potentially leading to political instability.

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