Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has raised serious allegations regarding the credibility and transparency of the voter registration process in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that senior BJP leaders were aware of the number of voters who would be removed from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) draft electoral roll even before its official publication. His remarks come in the context of the recent release of the draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh, which shows a significant number of exclusions and has sparked concerns about electoral fairness ahead of upcoming elections in the state.

The draft electoral roll, published on January 6, 2026, following the SIR exercise, shows that out of the 15.44 crore voters previously listed, 12.55 crore have been retained while 2.89 crore voters have been excluded. The scale of this exclusion has led to widespread discussion, and Akhilesh Yadav’s allegations have further intensified scrutiny of the process. Speaking to reporters in Lucknow on Saturday, Yadav expressed apprehension over the removal of nearly three crore voters from the voter list, highlighting a lack of transparency in the actions of both the state administration and the Election Commission.

According to Yadav, prior to the release of the draft voter list, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a senior BJP leader, had publicly stated that approximately four crore votes would be removed from the electoral rolls. “His speech is recorded and available in the archives, and it has been heard by everyone,” Yadav said. He further cited that a former BJP Member of Parliament from Kannauj had reportedly stated that 3 lakh votes had already been removed in a single district even before the draft was published. These statements, he argued, point to the possibility that the ruling party had foreknowledge of the voter exclusions, raising serious questions about the impartiality of the electoral process. “If BJP leaders, a former party MP, and the Chief Minister are making such statements, then what is the credibility of the Election Commission?” he asked, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in voter registration.

Yadav’s concerns also extend to the final publication of the electoral roll, scheduled for March 6, 2026. He stressed the importance of ensuring that all genuine voters have their names included in the final list. “We hope that when such a large-scale exercise like the voter registration drive is being conducted, genuine voters will have their names added to the voter list,” he said, urging the Election Commission to act diligently in safeguarding the integrity of the process.

Akhilesh Yadav further questioned the data provided by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), highlighting apparent discrepancies in voter statistics for different elections in the state. He noted that while the total number of voters for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh is 12.56 crore, the number of rural voters for the recent panchayat elections was reported to be 12.69 crore. This inconsistency, he argued, raises doubts about the accuracy of the voter lists. “How is it that the total number of voters for the Assembly elections is lower than the number of rural voters for panchayat elections?” Yadav asked. He pointed out that the same BLOs who prepared the voter lists for the panchayat elections were responsible for the SIR draft as well, making the discrepancies even more concerning.

In addition to questioning the credibility of voter data, Yadav expressed skepticism about the timing of the final voter list for the panchayat elections, which has been delayed by fifty days. He suggested that this delay may be intended to conceal irregularities in voter registration. “Is the final voter list for the Panchayat elections being delayed by 50 days to conceal this fact? When the same BLOs prepared both voter lists, why is the state data not being released? Why are they delaying it?” he asked, directly challenging the authorities to provide clarity and transparency in the matter.

Beyond raising these concerns, Akhilesh Yadav also outlined measures being taken by the Samajwadi Party to address potential irregularities and safeguard the electoral process. He mentioned that party workers have been provided with pre-prepared complaint forms that they can file whenever they spot fraudulent voting or discrepancies in the voter lists. “They just need to fill in the names and provide the details. The rest of the form is already prepared for them. They won’t have to do much work,” he explained. This approach, according to Yadav, is intended to empower citizens and party workers to actively monitor and report any irregularities, thereby ensuring that elections in Uttar Pradesh are conducted fairly.

In addition to procedural concerns, Yadav also raised the issue of linking voter information to Aadhaar, India’s national biometric identification system, as a measure to prevent the creation of fraudulent voter identities. He alleged that the BJP possesses machines capable of generating fake Aadhaar cards, a claim he said was corroborated by multiple loyal Samajwadi Party workers. “Many loyal Samajwadi Party workers have informed us that whenever elections are held, the BJP brings in such machines to create Aadhaar cards,” he claimed. To strengthen the integrity of the system, he proposed that Aadhaar cards be made more secure, suggesting that they be produced using metal to prevent tampering. Yadav framed this proposal as part of a broader effort to modernize voter identification and secure the electoral process in an era where data and technology play a crucial role.

Yadav emphasized that the ongoing irregularities and perceived manipulations in Uttar Pradesh represent a broader threat to the democratic process in India. He warned that preparations for manipulation and potential conspiracies were already underway, and he urged the Election Commission and the central government to take corrective action. “Considering the irregularities happening in UP, the preparations for manipulation, and the conspiracy underway, the country will once again decide to link voting to Aadhaar. This is a new era of data, a new time where data has become very important,” he said, highlighting the increasing significance of data security and transparency in modern elections.

The Samajwadi Party leader’s statements have already generated significant debate in political circles, with questions being raised about the impartiality of the Election Commission and the role of the state government in managing voter registration. His allegations come at a time when voter confidence is critical, particularly in a state like Uttar Pradesh, which holds substantial influence in national politics. With the final voter list due to be published in March, political observers and party leaders will be closely monitoring developments to ensure that the rights of genuine voters are protected and that the electoral process remains free from undue influence or manipulation.

In conclusion, Akhilesh Yadav’s comments underscore deep-seated concerns about transparency, fairness, and credibility in the voter registration process in Uttar Pradesh. By highlighting the discrepancies in voter data, alleging pre-knowledge of voter removals by BJP leaders, and advocating for stronger voter identification measures such as Aadhaar linkage, Yadav has placed significant pressure on the Election Commission and the state administration to address these issues promptly. The coming weeks are likely to see heightened scrutiny of voter lists and continued political debate over the integrity of the electoral process in India’s most populous state, as parties and citizens alike seek assurances that every eligible voter will have the opportunity to participate in a free and fair election.