Pilibhit SIR row: 2 poll officers removed, UP CEO seeks state-wide checks in 2 days

Hours after the Congress alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that more than 16,000 voter entries had been affected in the Pilibhit Sadar Assembly constituency alone, the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Wednesday evening ordered the removal of two officers — Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the constituency and the Voter Registration Centre (VRC) operator concerned — from electoral roll-related work with immediate effect.

CEO Navdeep Rinwa's directions came after an inquiry found that certain voters’ Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers displayed the details of other voters online. He also called for a probe by the District Election Officer (DEO), Pilibhit, and directed all DEOs to examine the electoral rolls of the Assembly constituencies in their respective districts and submit reports within two days.

Legal action has been directed against those responsible under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The DEO has additionally been asked to submit a detailed report clarifying the responsibility of the Assistant Electoral Registration Officers concerned.

Earlier in the day, the Congress flagged alleged irregularities in the Pilibhit Sadar Assembly voters’ list and said it was examining “discrepancies” in other constituencies and would explore legal options. Addressing the media, AICC general secretary in-charge of UP, Rajendra Pal Gautam, cited Pilibhit Sadar (constituency number 127) as an example of what he alleged were discrepancies between the draft and subsequent electoral rolls.

Gautam alleged that after the draft SIR list was published in April, the names of 13,150 voters were changed between July and September. “Congress workers checked the entries on the ground and found that the EPIC numbers and serial numbers were the same as those in the draft list, but the actual names had changed,” he alleged.

He further claimed that 804 voters listed as missing had been removed from the rolls even though they were still living in the constituency. In addition, around 2,600 names had allegedly been added despite the individuals concerned not living in the area, he claimed.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate alleged that the scale of the discrepancies was significant given the electoral arithmetic in Pilibhit Sadar. She said the seat was won by BJP minister Sanjay Gangwar by a margin of around 6,930 votes.

“Pilibhit has 3.48 lakh voters. These changes in names were made when Form 6 was not being used, yet 13,150 names were changed despite the EPIC numbers being correct,” Shrinate alleged. Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow.

With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.

Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India.

She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling.

By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More