Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule has raised serious concerns regarding the accuracy and integrity of voter lists in Nagpur, alleging significant discrepancies that could impact the upcoming elections. Speaking to the media, Bawankule highlighted issues with voter registration and list management that have surfaced in recent months.
“We all met with the Election Commissioner and discussed 11 key topics,” Bawankule stated. “Our primary concern is the situation in Nagpur, where we have observed that over 100,000 votes were deleted from the voter list. Voters who participated in the 2019 elections found themselves unable to cast their votes in 2024. Specifically, 36,000 names were completely removed from the rolls.”
Bawankule emphasized that these issues are not merely administrative errors but represent a significant problem that could undermine the electoral process. He explained that the BJP had provided all necessary documentation to address these concerns. However, he claimed that newly registered voters are not appearing on the updated lists, suggesting a possible fault in the data entry process.
“We attempted to bring these issues to the attention of S. Chockalingam, the Chief Electoral Officer, but our concerns were not addressed,” Bawankule continued. “As a result, we felt compelled to escalate the matter to the Chief Election Commission.”
The BJP’s concerns underscore broader issues related to electoral integrity and the accuracy of voter lists, which are crucial for ensuring fair and transparent elections. The removal of a substantial number of names from the voter rolls and the exclusion of new voters have raised alarms about the potential for disenfranchisement and irregularities in the electoral process.
As the electoral landscape prepares for the upcoming elections, these allegations have put additional pressure on election officials to address the concerns raised by the BJP and to ensure that the voter lists are accurate and comprehensive. The Chief Election Commission is expected to review the situation and take appropriate measures to resolve the issues identified by Bawankule and his party.