The Allahabad High Court has sought an explanation from the Uttar Pradesh State Election Commission authorities over the omission of 138 Amethi residents' names from the final voter list, despite their inclusion in the draft electoral roll and without notice to the persons concerned.

A bench of Justice Jaspreet Singh sought the response while hearing a writ petition filed by the 138 affected residents of Gopalpur village, Gram Panchayat Mahmoodpur Benipur, Block Amethi, Tehsil Amethi, in Amethi district.

They submitted that their names had been included in the electoral list for approximately a decade and were also present in the draft list. However, their names were missing upon the final publication of the electoral roll.

During the hearing on October 9, the Court asked the Additional Chief Standing Counsel to explain the procedure, rules and process under which names could have been deleted from the electoral roll.

"...once the names were their in the earlier list including the draft list how the names could have been deleted while making the final publication and that too without being concerned person to notice", the single judge questioned.

The State sought time to examine the matter and obtain instructions.

The Court initially listed the matter for October 14 while stating that if no proper instructions are received, it would consider summoning the officer concerned.

The matter is now listed for October 29.

According to media reports, the villagers have been alleging that around 200 living people were missing from the final voter list, while the names of around 50 deceased persons continued to figure in it.

They claimed that their complaints were not addressed despite a survey by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Additional District Magistrate Jyoti Singh, meanwhile, said that the matter was pending before the High Court and that no final order had been received from the Court. She said further action would be taken in accordance with the Court's order once it was received.