Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav has strongly criticised the Election Commission (EC) over the alleged lack of action on complaints regarding the transfer of election officials, raising questions about administrative accountability during elections.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, “Regarding the removal of BLOs, complaints were made that certain officials shouldn’t be posted. Who would be posted as District Officer, who as Presiding Officer? In 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024, how many transfers happened?... If even one officer was transferred due to a complaint, show the records... Look at how many transfers happened in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024. Despite repeated complaints by the opposition, the Election Commission did not transfer a single officer.”
He further highlighted the transparency of the 2022 by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, calling them a model for democratic conduct. “The recent 2022 by-election was historic — the world should learn how democracy works. I even invited journalists from Delhi to witness how fair elections are in UP, but you didn’t come. If you had, you could have seen it,” Yadav added.
