Lucknow, Oct. 13 -- The Samajwadi Party (SP) has demanded the Election Commission to withdraw its new directives regarding the identification of burqa-clad women voters by Anganwadi workers and allowing them to vote only after verification. SP state president Shyam Lal Pal submitted a memorandum to the chief electoral officer, Uttar Pradesh, addressed to the chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, stating that the new directive is contrary to the Election Commission of India's rules.

In the memorandum, Lal said, "The new directive is contrary to the Election Commission of India's rules. Paragraph 13.6.9 of the Election Commission of India's Handbook for Returning Officers, page 143, 'Process of Identification of Voter by Polling Offic...