Ghosi bye-polls: Muslims being prevented from casting votes, alleges Samajwadi Party

The Samajwadi Party on Tuesday wrote to the Election Commission, alleging that Muslims are being prevented from casting their votes in the bye-elections to the Ghosi Assembly constituency.

“The polling officer at booth number 137 of the Ghosi constituency is not allowing the Muslims to vote,” alleged Arvind Kumar Singh, national executive member of the Samajwadi Party. “When they reach the booth, they are being told that their vote has already been cast.”

Singh also alleged that the police and polling officer hurled abuses at the Muslim voters when they raised objections. He alleged that the head of Daulatpoor village and the booth agent of number 419 are being forced to ensure that residents vote the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Samajwadi Party leader has requested the Election Commission to take strict actions and ensure a free and fair election.

Voting for bye-elections in seven Assembly constituencies of six states began at 7 am on Tuesday.

Polling is being held at the Ghosi constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Dumri in Jharkhand, Dhanpur and Boxanagar in Tripura, Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Dhupguri in West Bengal and Puthuppally in Kerala.

The Ghosi bye-election is being held as Dara Singh Chauhan, who had won the seat in 2022, on a Samajwadi Party ticket resigned. Chauhan is now contesting on a...

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