UP MLC Poll Lapses: EC Suspends 6 Officers, Targets 21

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate suspension of six supervisory officers and disciplinary proceedings against 21 other personnel over polling irregularities in the Agra Teachers’ Constituency election to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC). The action follows the cancellation of voting at three polling stations and the announcement of a re-poll.

The irregularities occurred during the original polling on October 23 at polling stations 20, 21 and 26 in Agra. On October 24, the Commission declared the voting at these locations void and ordered fresh polling after reviewing the reported lapses.

The Commission said supervisory officers had failed to ensure effective oversight and maintain proper control at and around the polling stations. It described the lapses as serious dereliction of duty that could not be condoned.

Six Supervisory Officers Ordered to Be Suspended

The six officers facing suspension were deployed at polling stations 21 and 26. The Commission has directed the authorities concerned to initiate immediate suspension proceedings and submit a compliance report without delay.

The officers named in the Commission’s directions are:

• OP Chak: Sector Magistrate
• Harisharan Singh: Crime Branch Inspector
• Sandeep Kumar: Sub-Inspector at Etmaddaula Police Station
• Vishal Rathore: Sector Magistrate
• Purushottam Pal: Additional Inspector
• Sumit Tyagi: Sub-Inspector at Ekta Police Station

The Commission has also instructed the relevant authorities to prepare charge-sheets against the six officers. Draft copies must be submitted to the ECI for vetting within 10 days of the Commission’s letter, before the charge-sheets are formally issued.

The directions establish the administrative action being initiated against the officers. The subsequent disciplinary process will determine the formal charges and the consequences under the applicable service rules.

Disciplinary Proceedings Against 21 Other Personnel

In addition to the six supervisory officers, the ECI has ordered disciplinary proceedings against 21 personnel in connection with the polling irregularities. The group includes five polling officials and 16 police personnel.

The five polling officials comprise two presiding officers and three polling officers. The police personnel include five head constables and 11 constables.

The Commission has directed the Agra divisional commissioner to fix responsibility for the incidents that led to the cancellation of the original polling. The review is expected to cover the roles of polling officials and police personnel involved in election duties at the affected locations.

The scale of the action indicates that the Commission is examining both supervisory failures and the conduct of personnel responsible for managing polling and maintaining order. However, the specific responsibilities of the 21 personnel facing disciplinary proceedings have not been detailed in the information available.

Why Was Polling Cancelled at Three Agra Stations?

The action stems from irregularities reported during polling for the Agra Teachers’ Constituency in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council election on October 23.

On October 24, the Election Commission declared the polling conducted at stations 20, 21 and 26 void and ordered a re-poll at all three locations. The decision followed allegations of irregularities and the Commission’s assessment that the original voting at the stations could not stand.

The ECI said the supervisory officers had failed to maintain effective oversight and proper control at and around the polling stations. Its subsequent directions seek to establish accountability for the circumstances that necessitated fresh voting.

The Commission also instructed that individuals involved in unlawful activities that may have contributed to the irregularities should not be deployed for the re-poll. The direction was intended to prevent personnel whose conduct was implicated in the incidents from being assigned to the fresh polling exercise.

ECI Seeks Accountability From Election and Police Personnel

The Commission’s directions cover several levels of election administration, from supervisory officers and polling officials to police personnel deployed at the affected stations. The Agra divisional commissioner has been tasked with determining responsibility for the incidents, while the authorities concerned must carry out the suspension and disciplinary proceedings.

The requirement to submit draft charge-sheets for ECI vetting within 10 days establishes a specific timeline for the next stage of action against the six supervisory officers. The Commission has separately sought prompt implementation of the suspension orders and a compliance report.

For the 21 other personnel, disciplinary proceedings will address their roles in the lapses. The outcome of those proceedings, along with the responsibility-fixing exercise, will clarify the individual findings and any further action warranted.

What Happens Next in the Agra Teachers’ Constituency Poll Case?

The immediate next steps are the implementation of the six suspension orders, preparation and vetting of the draft charge-sheets, and the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the other 21 personnel. The Agra divisional commissioner must also examine the circumstances behind the cancellation of voting and determine responsibility.

The Commission’s re-poll order followed the declaration that voting on October 23 at stations 20, 21 and 26 was void. Its instruction concerning the deployment of personnel for the fresh poll also makes clear that those found involved in unlawful activities that may have caused the irregularities should not be assigned to the re-poll.

The ECI’s action is focused on accountability for the polling lapses and the integrity of the election process. Further conclusions about individual responsibility will depend on the formal charges, the disciplinary proceedings and the findings of the authorities conducting the review.