Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday escalated tensions in Uttar Pradesh's ongoing by-elections by demanding the immediate suspension of the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kakarouli police station in Mirapur. Yadav accused the SHO of intimidating voters by threatening them with a revolver and actively preventing them from casting their ballots. This dramatic allegation was accompanied by a video shared by Yadav on X, where the officer, fully equipped with safety gear and a helmet, can be seen pointing his service weapon toward a group of female voters. The women in the footage are heard questioning the officer, asking why they are being stopped from voting, while visibly distressed. The officer, supported by a contingent of police personnel, appears to insist that the women return to their homes.
In his post, Yadav stated, “The Election Commission should immediately suspend the SHO of Kakarouli police station in Mirapur because he is stopping voters from casting their ballots by threatening them with a revolver.” His remarks drew widespread attention, amplifying concerns about the fairness of the by-election process.
The Muzaffarnagar Police, however, refuted Yadav’s claims, stating that their presence in the area was prompted by a conflict between two groups during the polling. According to the official police statement, officers were met with hostility upon arriving at the location, as residents allegedly threw stones at them. In response, the police reportedly used "mild force" to disperse the crowd and restore order. The statement further clarified that SHO Rajeev Sharma’s actions were intended to ensure law and order, and denied that any voters were directly threatened. “Action will be taken against all those who threw stones at the police,” the statement added.
The by-elections in Uttar Pradesh saw moderate voter turnout, with polling gaining momentum after a slow start. By 3 PM, the turnout had reached approximately 42%. Voting was conducted across nine Assembly constituencies, including Katehari, Karhal, Mirapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur, and Kundarki. Under tight security arrangements, polling began at 7 AM and concluded by 5 PM.
The controversy surrounding the alleged voter intimidation is not an isolated incident. Earlier in the day, the Election Commission took disciplinary action against several police officers following complaints from the Samajwadi Party about alleged voter suppression. The party claimed that in some locations, police personnel were overstepping their mandate by checking voter IDs and discouraging people from voting. Responding to these allegations, the Election Commission suspended four officers on poll duty in Kanpur and Muzaffarnagar. In addition, traffic duty personnel in Moradabad were reassigned, further underscoring the heightened scrutiny over police conduct during the elections.
Akhilesh Yadav, a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has been vocal in his criticism of the ruling administration, accusing it of using the police force to manipulate the electoral process. He reiterated his call for the Election Commission to intervene decisively to ensure a free and fair election, urging them to take stringent action against officials involved in voter suppression. "The police have no business interfering with the democratic rights of citizens. This is an attack on democracy," he said during a media briefing.
The incident in Mirapur has added another layer of controversy to the by-elections, which are being closely watched as a bellwether for the political mood in Uttar Pradesh. With the stakes high for both the ruling BJP and opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party, incidents of alleged voter suppression and administrative overreach could have far-reaching implications for the state’s political landscape. Critics have called for greater transparency and accountability to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, as questions about police impartiality continue to swirl.
As the dust settles on the polling process, all eyes are now on the Election Commission and its handling of the allegations. The outcome of these elections and the associated controversies could significantly shape the narrative heading into future political battles in one of India’s most politically critical states.
