Errors in electoral rolls are not uncommon, but a recent discrepancy reported from Punjab has caught widespread attention. A controversy erupted after claims surfaced that the photograph of legendary freedom fighter Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh was printed against a local voter's name in the voter list, triggering swift reactions from political leaders and the district administration.
The Discrepancy and Political Outcry
According to reports, the incident was flagged at a polling booth where serial number 422 in the voter list featured the iconic picture of Bhagat Singh instead of the actual voter, Aman Kumar. As soon as the matter surfaced on social media and local platforms, it drew sharp criticism.
Local political figures and former legislators demanded a thorough audit of all polling booths in the assembly constituency, claiming that multiple discrepancies existed in the electoral rolls. They urged the election machinery to ensure foolproof verification to maintain the sanctity of voter documents.
Administration Clarifies and Rectifies the Error
Following the uproar, the district administration swung into action and conducted a detailed inquiry into the matter. In an official statement, authorities clarified that the erroneous photo originated from legacy data in older electoral rolls, which had inadvertently appeared in the draft list.
The administration stated that during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) verification process, the anomaly was duly noted and subsequently corrected. Officials assured the public that the final electoral roll would be published with accurate photographs and verified credentials for all registered citizens.
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National Desk, The Freelance
Verified Editorial DeskPolitics, Governance & Public Interest Reporting Team
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