Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi on Monday, January 5, launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging systematic manipulation of electoral rolls in Guwahati and other parts of Assam ahead of the upcoming elections.
Reacting to discrepancies detected in draft voter lists, Bordoloi claimed that names of people from outside the state were being added to residential addresses in Guwahati, calling it a serious threat to the democratic process.
What is the allegation?
Pradyut Bordoloi has alleged that the Election Commission is being used by the BJP to shield large-scale voter list manipulation, including the addition of “outsiders’” names to voter rolls in Guwahati. He claims this is being done to influence election outcomes in Assam.
Claims linked to Guwahati
Speaking about Guwahati specifically, Bordoloi said multiple families in the city have reported finding unfamiliar names linked to their addresses in the draft voter list.
“In Guwahati alone, several households have discovered names of people from outside Assam added to their addresses,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the names of individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had appeared in Assam’s voter lists, calling the issue widespread and not confined to a single polling station or district.
Allegations against the Election Commission
Bordoloi accused the BJP of “hiding behind the Election Commission” and alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner was acting under political influence.
“The Election Commission is being used as a shield by the BJP,” he said, claiming that the institution was no longer functioning independently.
Election authorities, however, have maintained that draft voter list discrepancies are addressed through verification and correction processes before final publication.
Political context ahead of elections
The Congress MP claimed that the BJP was resorting to such measures because it was losing public support in Assam.
“They know the people of Assam will not vote for them. That is why they are trying to import voters from outside the state,” Bordoloi alleged.
He also accused the ruling party of using public funds for political campaigning, claiming government resources were being diverted for election-related activities.
Wall-writing issue raised
Bordoloi further pointed to what he described as unequal treatment in political campaigning in Guwahati.
“They are doing wall writing everywhere. But when we try to do the same, permission is denied,” he said, alleging double standards by authorities.
Why this matters for Guwahati
Guwahati, being Assam’s largest urban centre and a politically significant constituency, plays a crucial role in state elections. Allegations related to voter lists in the city have heightened political tensions, especially with the Assembly elections approaching.
Election officials have reiterated that draft rolls are provisional and that citizens can file claims and objections before the final voter list is published.
What happens next?
The draft electoral rolls are expected to undergo further scrutiny before finalisation. Political parties are likely to continue raising objections, while election authorities are expected to address verified discrepancies through established procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
He alleged that the names of people from outside Assam were added to residential addresses in Guwahati to influence elections.
Officials have stated that draft voter lists are subject to correction and that discrepancies can be resolved through the claims and objections process.
