Basti's voter list has come under scrutiny during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Uttar Pradesh. Complaints have surfaced of the same person's name appearing at more than one place, and of entries carrying the same photo and family details but different EPIC numbers.
Election staff say about 7,000 suspicious names are being checked, while the administration says 152 double entries have been found so far.
What the complaints say
The complaints surfaced at a polling centre at Khair College in Basti, where residents said their names appear at more than one place. Asiya Khatoon said her name is registered at three places, with the same photo at all three but different EPIC numbers. The EPIC number is the identity number printed on a voter ID card.
In another case, two entries in the name of Gudiya carry different EPIC numbers and photos, but her husband Rakesh's name and address are the same in both. Kusum Devi of Turkahiya is reported to have two entries with her husband Saurabh's name and the same photo, but different EPIC numbers. Adeeba Waheed, daughter of Abdul Waheed, is said to have two entries with the same photo but different EPIC numbers, and Abdul Hameed's name and photo are also reported at two places.
Why 7,000 names are being checked
Election department employee Piyush Gupta said about 7,000 suspicious names are being investigated. Additional District Magistrate Gyan Chandra Gupta said the investigation has so far thrown up 152 double entries, and these are being examined. Officials said entries confirmed as duplicates will be removed from the list.
What happens to confirmed double entries
The focus now is on what the investigation establishes: how many of the flagged entries turn out to be genuine duplicates and how many records need correction. Officials have said that entries confirmed as duplicates during the investigation will be removed.
Wider checks across Uttar Pradesh
The Basti complaints come as voter lists across Uttar Pradesh face wider checks, after irregularities were also reported in Pilibhit's list. The outcome in Basti will depend on how many of the flagged entries the investigation confirms as wrong.
