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The Samajwadi Party on Monday demanded the withdrawal of the Election Commission's guidelines about Anganwadi workers "identifying burqa-clad women voters" on polling stations before they cast their vote in Bihar elections, saying that the move is against "transparent, free, and fair polls".
In a memorandum to the Election Commission, Shyam Lal Pal, president of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, said that the directive has not only been issued for the Bihar elections but will also be implemented in future assembly and Lok Sabha polls. He said the BJP and its allies had demanded identification of burqa-clad women. Pal said that the "directive of the Chief Election Commissioner" is against the rules of the Election Commission. He also cited a para from 'Hand Book of Returning Officer' "The Samajwadi Party demands that the instructions issued by the Election Commission, requiring the identification of women voters wearing burqas to be verified by Anganwadi workers and allowing such voters to cast their votes only after verification, be withdrawn to ensure free and fair elections," said the memorandum, submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh. The memorandum alleged that the "instructions target voters from a specific community" and said it is raising questions on the poll panel's independence and transparency. The Samajwadi Party said the "directive is unconstitutional and anti-democracy". Election Commission had earlier said that Aanganwadi workers will be present at polling booths during Bihar polls to help verify the identity of burqa-clad voters. (ANI)
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