Two advocates filed a letter on Friday with the country’s highest court, calling for an investigation into alleged electoral malpractices and voter intimidation during recent by-elections in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The letter, addressed to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of India and the Allahabad High Court, cites “serious and widespread allegations” of misconduct, including police obstruction, voter suppression, and targeted harassment of minorities during the November 20 polls.
The advocates, Syed Kaif Hasan and M Huzaifa, are seeking a stay of the vote count pending a full investigation. They also demand a probe by the Election Commission of India and the formation of a Special Investigation Team to examine the allegations independently.
Counting is underway on Saturday with a close contest between BJP and SP.
“The little man, walking into a little booth with a little pencil, making a little cross on a little bit of paper,” epitomizes the democratic process and must be protected at all costs,” the advocates argue in their letter, citing a 1978 Supreme Court ruling. They emphasize that the right to choose one’s representative is an extension of the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
After several videos of police checking voter IDs were shared on social media, the Election Commission (EC) took action against four Uttar Pradesh police personnel accused of violating its guidelines.
A video of a Uttar Pradesh police officer pointing a gun to threaten Muslim women voters during a by-poll has emerged on social media, triggering outrage. The video from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerapur was shared by Samajwadi Party chief and former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, demanding immediate action.
In the video Yadav shared, a Muslim woman is heard telling the cop, “You don’t have the order to fire.” The cop, revolver in hand, walks towards her shouting, “we have the orders”. The Muslim woman stands her ground and says, “This is not right.”
The nine constituencies where the alleged violations occurred are Karhal, Sisamau, Katehari, Kundarki, Mirapur, Ghaziabad, Phulpur, Khair, and Majhawan. The letter details a pattern of misconduct, including illegal use of force, harassment of political workers, and unlawful detentions. In Mirapur, Sisamau, and Kundarki, Muslim women voters faced “extreme measures of coercion,” including threats at gunpoint, according to the filing.
“Such acts of intimidation violate the fundamental right to vote enshrined in Article 326 of the Constitution of India and compromise the principles of free and fair elections,” the letter states.
The advocates also criticize the Election Commission’s response as inadequate, noting that while some police officials were suspended, the “root causes of systemic abuse” remain unaddressed.
“The Election Commission’s insufficient action has raised concerns about its ability to oversee a fair and transparent election process,” the letter says. The advocates express hope that the court will intervene to “safeguard the core principles of universal suffrage and electoral integrity”.
