Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, August 26, 2025 – The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh has called on the Samajwadi Party (SP) to submit the original copies of 18,000 affidavits it claims to have filed with the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging voter irregularities in the 2022 assembly elections. The demand, made public on August 25, 2025, follows the CEO’s statement on X that only 3,919 scanned copies were received via email, raising questions about the party’s claims and hinting at possible forgery.
SP leader Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly accused the ECI of ignoring complaints about voter list manipulations, particularly in constituencies like Amapur, Kursi, and Jaunpur Sadar. He alleges that thousands of voters, especially from Muslim, backward caste, and Dalit communities, were deliberately removed from rolls to favor the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Yadav shared receipts on X, claiming the affidavits were submitted within the ECI’s deadline after a notice was issued to the party. “If no action is taken on these 18,000 affidavits, who will trust the Election Commission?” he told reporters in Delhi on August 18.
The CEO’s office, however, clarified that no original affidavits have reached them. In a post on X, the CEO stated, “It’s possible the SP mistakenly sent only 3,919 scanned copies instead of 18,000. We need the originals to move the investigation forward.” The office urged the SP to deliver the documents to the CEO, district election officers, or assembly constituency electoral registration officers, ensuring receipts for transparency. Investigations into five constituencies revealed serious issues, some affidavits were filed in the names of people who died years before 2022, while others denied submitting any such documents. The CEO warned that submitting false evidence is a punishable offense.
The controversy has intensified political tensions. The SP accused the ECI of acting as an “extension of the BJP,” alleging inaction and even threats against complainants. On X, the party claimed the 2022 elections and bypolls were marred by “vote theft” orchestrated by the BJP. Meanwhile, the BJP countered, alleging the SP was threatening voters ahead of the December 2024 bypolls. A BJP leader from Kannauj also claimed their supporters’ names were removed from voter lists, escalating the debate.
The standoff highlights the larger narrative that opposition parties are trying to build around electoral integrity in Uttar Pradesh. However, these claims appear to lack substance and seem more like an attempt to mislead people rather than address real issues. With investigations underway across 74 constituencies in 33 districts, the CEO’s demand for original affidavits has put pressure on the Samajwadi Party to back its allegations with proof. As the state heads toward the 2027 polls, experts suggest that instead of focusing on unverified claims, the opposition should address core concerns such as fertilizer shortages, rising inflation, and unemployment to connect with voters in a meaningful way.
