Dehradun: The Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in Uttarakhand, which recorded over 60 percent voter turnout today, were marred by widespread indignation and heated exchanges over the glaring issue of missing names from voter lists.
Across Dehradun and other towns, citizens expressed dismay and anger as they discovered their names had mysteriously vanished from the electoral rolls, depriving them of their democratic right.
Long-time residents, some of whom have been voting regularly for decades, were particularly affected.
“My entire family’s name has been struck off. We checked at three polling centers, and it’s the same everywhere.
This is the first time in my life that I couldn’t cast my vote,” said a distressed voter from Dehradun.
The issue was not limited to one locality. Numerous families from housing societies and neighborhoods across the state shared similar grievances.
A resident, who has lived in the same house for over 15 years, questioned the authorities’ competence: “Why were we not informed about re-verifying voter lists? How can such a large number of names be omitted?”
Election Commission in the Line of Fire
While some citizens argued that verifying names before elections is their responsibility, others countered that the onus lies squarely with the Election Commission to ensure voter lists are accurate.
“This is not a one-off incident. Names are missing in thousands, maybe even lakhs. It’s unfair to put all the blame on citizens when the election machinery is clearly flawed,” said a local activist.
The controversy also took a political turn, with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of deliberate negligence.
“This is becoming a pattern in BJP-ruled states. Names mysteriously disappear from voter rolls, whether it’s municipal, state, or central elections.
This is not just an administrative lapse—it’s an assault on democracy,” alleged a Congress spokesperson.
Citizens’ Anguish Boils Over
The uproar has also sparked a larger debate on electoral accountability.
Many citizens and activists are calling for stronger punitive measures against those responsible for such errors.
“In a democracy, denying someone their right to vote is a travesty. Such lapses must be treated as a criminal offense,” said a citizen.
Adding to the discontent, a taxpayer from Dehradun tweeted: “I pay ₹6 lakh in taxes annually and have been voting regularly. Yet, I couldn’t vote today because my name was struck off without explanation. Who is answerable for this?”
Election Officials Defend Their Stand
In response, Uttarakhand’s Election Commission issued a statement urging citizens to check their names before polling day.
However, many criticized the lack of proactive communication and alleged the process was riddled with inefficiencies.
“How can voters check if they’re not even informed that re-verification is needed? The Election Commission’s response is both inadequate and dismissive,” remarked a political observer.
As the dust settles on polling day, the missing voter names have left a dent in the credibility of the ULB elections.
With growing demands for an independent inquiry and stricter oversight, the state government and electoral officials are under immense pressure to restore public trust and ensure such lapses do not recur in future elections.
The battle for accountability has just begun, and citizens are determined to ensure that democracy remains “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
