EC suspends six officials over UP MLC poll lapses, orders action against 21 others

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered the immediate suspension of six supervisory officers and disciplinary proceedings against 21 others over alleged lapses during the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections in the Agra Teachers' Constituency.

The action followed a report submitted by the Agra divisional commissioner concerning irregularities that necessitated repolling at three polling stations. The original polling was held on October 23, while fresh voting took place on Monday.

The Commission also removed IAS officer Abhay Singh, a 2007-batch officer, from his position as observer for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Division Teachers' Constituency following allegations of irregularities raised by BJP MLC Devendra Pratap Singh.

IAS officer Prakash Bindu, a 2009-batch officer, has been appointed in his place. Counting of votes for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.

𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

In a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa, ECI Secretary Suman Kumar Das said the action was based on the findings of the Agra divisional commissioner regarding failures in supervision and control at polling stations.

The Commission observed that officials entrusted with supervisory responsibilities had failed to maintain effective oversight within and around the polling stations. It viewed the lapses seriously and directed immediate action.

The six officials facing suspension include sector magistrate O P Chak, Crime Branch Inspector Harisharan Singh and Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar of Etmaddaula police station. They were deployed at polling station number 21, located at the Kshetra Panchayat Office in Saiyan.

The other three are sector magistrate Vishal Rathore, Additional Inspector Purushottam Pal of Fatehabad and Sub-Inspector Sumit Tyagi of Ekta police station in Agra. They were deployed at polling station number 26 at the Kshetra Panchayat Office in Fatehabad.

The ECI has directed the authorities concerned to prepare charge-sheets against all six officials and forward draft copies to the Commission for vetting within 10 days before their formal issuance.

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟭 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀

Apart from the six supervisory officers, the Commission has ordered disciplinary proceedings against five polling officials and 16 police personnel deployed at polling stations 21 and 26.

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

The action follows findings of the inquiry conducted by the Agra divisional commissioner into the circumstances that led to the cancellation of polling at three stations.

The Commission has directed the authorities to submit an immediate compliance report detailing the action taken against the officials concerned.

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The Election Commission had earlier declared voting conducted on October 23 at polling stations 20, 21 and 26 in the Agra Teachers' Constituency void following complaints of irregularities.

Fresh polling was conducted at these stations on Monday under revised arrangements.

The Commission also directed officials to identify those responsible for the irregularities and ensure that personnel involved in unlawful activities were not deployed for the repoll.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

The developments come ahead of counting for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council constituencies, comprising five Graduates' and six Teachers' constituencies.

Polling for these seats was held on Friday, with 152 candidates in the fray.

The Chief Electoral Officer has directed returning officers to ensure adequate security and logistical arrangements for the counting process, which is scheduled to begin at 8 am on Tuesday.