‘Unusual’ names, details crop up in electoral roll for MLC polls in U.P.; ECI cites software error

Elections for 11 Legislative Council seats concluded on Friday (October 23, 2026) in Uttar Pradesh amid allegations by the Opposition of bogus voting by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters. The BJP dismissed the allegations, calling them an acceptance of defeat before the results are announced.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has raised the issue with the Election Commission and demanded action. “BJP members are disappointed and frustrated. The teacher and graduate constituency election is for a limited number of voters, with only teachers and graduates participating. The BJP supporters attempted fraudulent voting. To prevent SP supporters from voting, the BJP deployed its goons and corrupt officials. The BJP will attempt similar moves in the Assembly elections, but the public is against them and will defeat them by casting every vote against them,” said SP president Akhilesh Yadav, who cast his vote in Saifai under the Agra Graduate constituency.

Five graduates’ constituencies (Lucknow, Agra, Meerut, Varanasi, and Allahabad-Jhansi) and six teachers’ constituencies (Lucknow, Agra, Meerut, Varanasi, Bareilly-Moradabad, and Gorakhpur-Faizabad) covering over 30 districts in U.P. went to the polls with over 14 lakh registered voters. Total voter turnout stood at 55.24% until 4 p.m., according to Election Commission figures.

In Auraiya district, the SP alleged its workers were beaten. “Samajwadi Party workers were beaten up at booth number 223 of the Sadar Assembly constituency in Auraiya when they protested against booth capturing by BJP MLA Gudiya Katheria. The Election Commission should take cognisance, immediately investigate the matter, and take strict action against the culprits,” read a statement by the SP.

Similarly, the SP alleged fake voting took place by people associated with the BJP at booth number 34 at Maharaj Singh Degree College in the Saharanpur City Assembly segment.

“The BJP tried to influence MLC elections at various levels, ranging from manipulating electoral rolls to using officials at polling centres across U.P. Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue of fake voting in Fatehpur district; Dr. Man Singh, MLC at Prayagraj, raised bogus polling by BJP workers; and Abhishek Nagar confronted senior BJP leader Virendra Singh in Shamli over unfair influence at polling booths.

Elsewhere, multiple instances of the misuse of government machinery were in public view. From these elections, it is clear that the SP cadre is energised to counter the malpractices of the Election Commission and government officials who support the BJP,” said Sudhir Panwar, a senior SP leader.

BJP’s response

Meanwhile, the BJP characterised the accusations as an acceptance of defeat before the results.

“Allegations of any malpractice are ridiculous. The SP is aware that they are losing all the seats, as voters are satisfied with the development-centric governance of the BJP government. The SP failed to carry out any rigging due to the effective management of the administration, so their frustration is coming out,” said Dinesh Dubey, a Lucknow-based BJP leader.