Uttar Pradesh CEO Navdeep Rinwa directed that errors identified during the investigation of complaints received regarding the electoral rolls through various political parties and social media platforms should not be repeated. (Representational image)
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Amid controversy over errors found in the electoral rolls published after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday (October 25, 2026) ordered reverification of all entries made by computer operators since the publication of post-SIR final electoral rolls on April 10 and directed that any future digital applications be filed only by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and not by outsourced computer operators.
“Under no circumstances should the feeding of physical application forms be handled by computer assistants. It must also be ensured that all physical forms received are digitised exclusively by the BLO through the BLO App. Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) must review all pending Form-6, Form-7, and Form-8 applications on a daily basis and ensure their prompt disposal strictly as per rules. Proper custody and preservation of all physically received forms must be ensured”, an official statement said.
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The measures were announced at a virtual meeting, called to review preparations for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the electoral rolls for the Assembly constituencies on Saturday (October 24, 2026), with all Divisional Commissioners, District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and computer assistants.
Uttar Pradesh CEO Navdeep Rinwa also directed that errors identified during the investigation of complaints received regarding the electoral rolls through various political parties and social media platforms should not be repeated.
Congress’s claim
On October 21, Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders alleged that details of 13,150 voters were changed while their EPIC and serial numbers remained the same in the Pilibhit constituency. They said the changes were made between July and September after the final rolls came out on April 10. The Congress also claimed that 804 residents were removed and about 2,600 non-residents were added, putting the total at 16,554 irregular entries. Reports of duplicate entries in electoral rolls have also emerged from other parts of the State.
The CEO expressed displeasure over the delay by the District Election Officers of Bulandshahr, Sitapur, Ghaziabad, and Aligarh in submitting reports regarding complaints of duplicate voters circulating on social media, and directions were given to submit the reports at the earliest.
All officials were strictly instructed not to share their ERONET login ID and password with anyone and to conduct mandatory verification for all Form-6, Form-7, and Form-8 entries fed by computer assistants from the conclusion of SIR (April 10, 2026) to date.
Warned of action
All officials involved were also warned of action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which pertains to the breach of official duty in connection with the preparation of electoral rolls.
Under the Act, if an ERO, AERO or any other person required to perform an official duty without reasonable cause commits an act or omission in breach of that duty, they are liable to imprisonment of at least three months and up to two years, plus a fine.
The statement further said that since the Divisional Commissioners are tasked with duties as Roll Observers, “it is their responsibility to ensure intensive supervision of electoral roll work in the respective districts under their division. Action will be initiated against the officials concerned in case of any laxity found in this work”.
Published – October 26, 2026 12:25 am IST
