After questions were raised about the use of AI in voter list correction for the 2026 Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, the CEO UP clarified to Akhilesh Yadav that this initiative is related to the State Election Commission, not the Election Commission of India. The commission also clarified the situation regarding the examination of 18,000 affidavits.
Lucknow: The ongoing debate regarding the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) for voter list correction in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Panchayat elections in 2026 has now become clearer. Samajwadi Party National President and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had raised questions about the Election Commission. Four days later, the State Election Commission responded and dispelled the confusion among the general public and media regarding the voter list correction process.
Akhilesh Yadav Questions Commission on Voter List Update
On September 1, Akhilesh Yadav, via a post on the social media platform X, stated that the commission is correcting voter lists with the help of AI. He alleged that the commission was brief in its response to 18,000 affidavits and questioned why responses for the remaining 17,986 were not provided.
His post went viral, prompting the State Election Commission to issue a public clarification. Akhilesh Yadav's tweet became a topic of discussion in political circles across the state and the country.
State Commission Clarifies on Voter List Correction Using AI
On September 5, the State Election Commission of Uttar Pradesh responded on social media. The commission clarified that AI would be used to identify and correct errors in voter lists, but this is not related to the Election Commission of India.
The State Commission explained that it prepares voter lists for elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. In contrast, the Election Commission of India oversees elections for the Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, and Vidhan Parishad. The CEO UP stated that the distinction between the functions of these two commissions is often unclear to the general public and the media.
Commission's Clarification on the 18,000 Affidavit Controversy
The State Election Commission provided a detailed response to Akhilesh Yadav's allegations regarding 18,000 voter affidavits. The commission clarified that as of September 4, 2025, the original affidavits of complaints registered before the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections had neither been received by the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh nor by the concerned District Electoral Officers.
The commission stated that as soon as these original affidavits are received, an immediate inquiry and effective action will be taken. Only then will complete information be provided to the public. This step is being taken to ensure transparency in the election process.
State Commission Says Voter Lists Will Be Corrected Using AI
The State Election Commission clarified that AI will be used to identify and correct human errors and inaccuracies present in the voter lists. This technology will not only save time but also help in increasing the accuracy and transparency of information.
The CEO UP also clarified that the list correction process through AI is not related to the Election Commission of India. It is solely limited to the Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections in Uttar Pradesh.
