UP Panchayat polls: Former union minister Smriti Irani’s exclusion from voter roll raises eyebrows
Amethi, June 12: Following the release of the final voter list for the upcoming three-tier Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, allegations of irregularities have surfaced in the district. The omission of former Union Minister Smriti Irani’s name from the Medan Mavai Gram Panchayat in the Gauriganj block has sparked controversy. Complaints of several deceased voters being included in the list and the disappearance of over 870 voters from the Paniyar Gram Panchayat in the Shahgarh block have raised questions about election preparations.
Tirath Raj Mishra, the village head representative of Medan Mavai Gram Panchayat, alleged that all necessary documents were provided to the BLO on time to include Smriti Irani’s name in the Panchayat voter list, but despite this, her name was not added to the final list.
He also claimed that the names of several deceased Gram Panchayat members are still listed on the voter list, even though the relevant documents for their removal have already been submitted to the administration.
Meanwhile, in Paniyar Gram Panchayat, complaints have surfaced that the names of over 870 eligible voters are missing from the list. This has angered villagers, who are demanding immediate amendments to the list.
BJP District President Sudhanshu Shukla stated that Smriti Irani’s name is listed on the Assembly voter list and the necessary documents were submitted to include her name in the Panchayat voter list. A complaint has been filed with the SDM, Gauriganj.
SDM, Preeti Tiwari, stated that the documents submitted to add her name to the Panchayat voter list lacked Smriti Irani’s signature, so the application could not be approved. She stated that her name will be added to the supplementary list once the signed documents are available. The names of the deceased and other complaints will also be investigated and necessary amendments will be made.
