A heated debate has arisen between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP over the issue of voter identity verification for Muslim women wearing burqas, hijabs, niqabs, and ghunghats in the upcoming UP by-election. The Samajwadi Party has approached the Election Commission demanding that Muslim women should not have to remove their burqas for checks, while the BJP argues that every voter must be identified. The Election Commission has confirmed that only the polling officer is authorised to verify voter ID cards, and police or security personnel are not permitted to check ID cards or request a woman to remove her burqa. As polling continues, the outcome of this controversy remains to be seen.
Voter ID Verification for Muslim Women in Burqas: A Contentious Issue in the UP By-election
The upcoming Uttar Pradesh (UP) by-election has sparked a heated debate over the issue of voter identity verification for Muslim women wearing burqas, hijabs, niqabs, and ghunghats. This controversy has its roots in past incidents and electoral practices in the state.
Background
The Election Commission (EC) of India has been grappling with ensuring fair and transparent elections while respecting the cultural and religious practices of voters. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that all voters must show their faces for identity verification at polling booths. However, the court also allowed reasonable accommodations for women to maintain their modesty.
In the lead-up to the UP by-election, the Samajwadi Party (SP) raised concerns that Muslim women wearing burqas would be subject to harassment and intimidation if required to remove their veils for verification. The SP demanded that Muslim women should be exempt from removing their burqas during checks.
BJP's Response and EC's Decision
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposed the SP's proposal, arguing that all voters must be identified to prevent voter fraud. The BJP claimed that the use of burqas and other face coverings could facilitate impersonation and illegal voting.
The EC responded by confirming that only polling officers are authorized to verify voter ID cards. Police or security personnel are not permitted to check ID cards or request a woman to remove her burqa. The EC also stated that reasonable accommodations would be made for women who wish to maintain their modesty during verification.
Controversy Continues
Despite the EC's decision, the controversy continues. The SP has accused the BJP of using the issue to target Muslim voters and suppress their participation in the election. The BJP has maintained that its position is based on the need for electoral integrity.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q: Who is authorized to verify voter ID cards? A: Only polling officers are authorized to verify voter ID cards.
Q: Are Muslim women required to remove their burqas during verification? A: No, the EC has stated that Muslim women are not required to remove their burqas for verification.
Q: What accommodations are made for Muslim women during verification? A: Polling officers may use mirrors or other methods to verify the faces of Muslim women without requiring them to remove their burqas.
Q: What is the BJP's objection to the SP's proposal? A: The BJP fears that the exemption from burqa removal could facilitate impersonation and illegal voting.
Q: What is the historical context of this controversy? A: The issue of voter ID verification for Muslim women has been a subject of debate in India for several years, with previous incidents of harassment and intimidation reported.
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