District Magistrate Mahendra Singh Tanwar has taken strict action over slow progress in the panchayat voter list de-duplication drive. Three block officials have been issued a three-day ultimatum, with warning of legal action if work is not completed on time.
Statewide De-duplication Drive Underway
The ongoing panchayat voter list revision drive in the district has come under strict scrutiny after District Magistrate and District Election Officer (Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies) Mahendra Singh Tanwar took serious note of the slow progress in the de-duplication process. With the February 20, 2026 deadline fast approaching, the district administration has stepped up pressure on underperforming blocks to ensure timely completion of the work.
Statewide De-Duplication Drive Underway
The State Election Commission is currently undertaking a comprehensive revision of the panchayat electoral roll, focusing on verification and online updating of suspected duplicate voters. Through an official letter dated August 20, 2025, all Block Development Officers (BDOs) were designated as nodal officers for overseeing the task. The exercise aims to enhance transparency, accuracy, and fairness in the electoral process ahead of upcoming local body elections.
Review Exposes Alarming Delays
A review conducted on February 16, 2026 revealed serious shortcomings in three development blocks — Sevarahi, Sukrauli, and Fazilnagar — where progress has been far below expectations.
In Sevarahi block, only 1,559 out of 75,096 suspected duplicate voters have been verified and updated online, reflecting just 2.08 percent completion. Sukrauli block has completed 4,074 out of 60,680 cases, achieving about 6.71 percent progress. Meanwhile, Fazilnagar block has updated 5,532 out of 69,719 suspected duplicates, marking 7.93 percent completion. These figures have placed the district in an unsatisfactory position at the state level.
Slow Verification at Grassroots Level
The review also highlighted the sluggish pace of field verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), which has directly affected the district’s overall performance and drawn concern from the State Election Commission.
Three-Day Ultimatum to Officials
Taking a firm stance, District Magistrate Mahendra Singh Tanwar has directed the concerned Block Development Officers to submit a written explanation within three days. He has clearly warned that failure to provide a satisfactory and timely response will invite legal action under Section 12 (b)(d) of the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1947.
All officials have been instructed to accelerate verification and online data entry work and ensure that the de-duplication process is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
