‘Unusual’ names, details crop up in electoral roll for MLC polls in U.P.; ECI cites software error
The discrepancies were found in the Allahabad-Jhansi graduates' constituency ahead of polling for 11 MLC seats
Discrepancies have emerged in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC) electoral roll for upcoming polls. The Election Commission of India (ECI) attributes these irregularities to a software error, assuring the issue is minimal. Police officials are verifying vehicle information ahead of voting in the Allahabad-Jhansi graduates' constituency, which will determine 11 MLC seats on October 23.
Names like "Ram ne Yadav ko maara" and "B.Com" in place of a father's name have surfaced, sparking concerns. The ECI clarified that the errors occurred due to a new digital software used for the first time in the preparation of graduate and teacher constituencies. This software, designed to transliterate English names into Hindi, mistakenly translated words instead, creating incorrect entries.
For instance, "Ramhit Yadav" might have been entered as "Ram hit Yadav" and translated to "Ram ne Yadav ko maara." The discrepancies accounted for 0.01% of the 14.81 lakh names in the electoral rolls, but some entries, like "B.Com" as a father's name, appear to be human error or negligence.
The Election Commission has ordered an inquiry into the cases, and district authorities have been instructed to prevent eligible voters from being denied the right to vote due to clerical or printing errors. Presiding officers will verify necessary documents, and district magistrates will be held responsible if any voter is improperly turned away.
Polling for five graduate and six teacher constituencies is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, with over 14.81 lakh voters eligible to cast their ballots at 2,697 polling stations across 72 districts.
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