116-Year-Old Voter? Blunders Rock UP MLC Graduate Elections
Clerical blunders spark chaos in UP MLC Graduate Elections as a voter in Lakhimpur is listed as 116 years old. Read more on the polling irregularities.
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC) elections have taken a bizarre turn in Lakhimpur, where shocking clerical errors on voter slips have left citizens stunned. While the state heads to the polls to elect representatives for Graduate and Teacher constituencies, reports of massive data discrepancies are casting a shadow over the administrative process.
The 116-Year-Old Voter Mystery
In one of the most glaring examples of administrative negligence, a voter named Shivam Gupta, a resident of Shastri Nagar in Lakhimpur, discovered a surreal error on his official voter slip. According to the document, Gupta's birth year was recorded as 1910, effectively making him 116 years old. This incident has become a flashpoint for critics highlighting the inaccuracies within the electoral rolls.
Chaos Beyond Lakhimpur
The irregularities are not confined to a single district. Reports of erroneous names and mismatched data have also emerged from Prayagraj, suggesting a systemic issue with the printing of electoral rolls. The tension on the ground has occasionally boiled over, with reports of altercations breaking out between political figures in Mitauli as the voting process unfolds.
The Scale of the Election
The stakes are high as voters decide the fate of 152 candidates competing for 5 Graduate and 6 Teacher constituency seats. The numbers involved are massive:
- Eligible Voters: Approximately 14.18 to 14.81 million people.
- Polling Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Counting Date: Scheduled for October 27, 2026.
Election Commission Steps In
To prevent a total breakdown of trust, the Election Commission has issued a crucial clarification. They have stated that no voter will be disenfranchised simply because of minor clerical or printing mistakes on their slips. As long as a voter can prove their identity using valid government-issued documents, they will be allowed to cast their vote. Accepted documents include:
- Aadhaar Cards
- Driving Licenses
- PAN Cards
- Original Educational Certificates
Security and Oversight
Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has placed divisional commissioners and district magistrates under strict orders to maintain a fair and peaceful environment. To ensure the process remains orderly despite the disputes, the commission has deployed a massive oversight team consisting of:
- 11 Special Observers
- 1,041 Sector Magistrates
- 456 Zonal Magistrates
While the security apparatus is in place, the "116-year-old" blunder in Lakhimpur continues to fuel discussions regarding the accuracy of the voter lists in one of India's most significant local electoral exercises.