Hyderabad, May 26: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized the BJP’s Delhi unit for demanding special verification measures for women voters wearing burqas during the May 25 polling. Owaisi accused the BJP of targeting Muslim women and creating unnecessary obstacles in the voting process.
In a statement on X, Owaisi expressed his discontent: “The Delhi unit of the BJP has requested the Election Commission to implement special checks for women in burqas. This is an attempt to harass and target Muslim women. The Election Commission already has clear guidelines for verifying voters, regardless of their attire. The BJP’s demand is unjustified and discriminatory.”
On Wednesday, a delegation from the Delhi BJP met with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to request the verification of women voters wearing burqas or face masks by female officials during the polling process. This move has been perceived as an attempt to intimidate and disenfranchise Muslim women voters.
In a related incident, a case has been registered against BJP candidate Madhavi Latha from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat. A video surfaced showing Latha checking the voter ID cards of Muslim women at a polling booth. The case, filed under sections 171C, 186, and 505(1)(c) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act, underscores the ongoing tension surrounding this issue.
Delhi is currently voting in a single phase for all seven Lok Sabha seats, with the results set to be declared on June 4. The electoral battle is intense, with the BJP facing off against the INDIA bloc, an alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. The AAP is contesting four seats, while the Congress is contesting three.
The constituencies in Delhi involved in this election include Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi, and West Delhi. The demand for special verification checks has added another layer of complexity to an already contentious election process.
