LUCKNOW — The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday, October 26, 2026, suspended six administrative and police officials with immediate effect following severe supervisory lapses during the Agra Division Teachers Constituency election of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.
The action follows an inquiry report submitted by the Agra Divisional Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer, which detailed severe failure in maintaining order and oversight at polling booths during the October 23 vote.
“Such dereliction of duty on the part of officers holding supervisory positions is viewed as serious lapses and cannot be condoned,” the ECI stated in its official directive to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa.
Suspension of Key Supervisory Officers
The suspended personnel include two Sector Magistrates and four police officers who failed to maintain strict administrative control in and around key polling stations.
Polling Station No. 21 (Kshetra Panchayat Office, Saiyan)
- O.P. Chak, Sector Magistrate & District Khadi and Village Industries Officer, Agra
- Inspector Harisharan Singh, Sector Police Officer, Crime Branch
- Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar, Etmaddaula Police Station, Agra
Polling Station No. 26 (Kshetra Panchayat Office, Fatehabad)
- Vishal Rathore, Sector Magistrate & Regional Forest Officer, Fatehabad
- Inspector Purushottam Pal, Additional Inspector, Fatehabad, Agra
- Sub-Inspector Sumit Tyagi, Ekta Police Station, Agra
The ECI has instructed state authorities to formulate draft charge-sheets for all six delinquent officers and forward them to the Commission for formal vetting within 10 days.
Action Against 21 Additional Personnel and Repoll Results
Beyond the six suspensions, the election watchdog initiated departmental disciplinary proceedings against 21 additional staff. These include two presiding officers, three polling officers, five head constables, and 11 constables assigned to the affected booths.
ECI ACTION SUMMARY (AGRA DIVISION MLC POLLS)
| Category of Officer | Count | Action Ordered |
|---|---|---|
| Sector Magistrates & Cops | 6 | Immediate Suspension |
| Presiding & Poll Officers | 5 | Disciplinary Proceedings |
| Police Constabulary Staff | 16 | Disciplinary Proceedings |
Invoking Section 58A(2)(a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission voided the original polling of October 23 at three locations:
- Polling Station No. 20 (Tehsil Campus, Kheragarh)
- Polling Station No. 21 (Kshetra Panchayat Office, Saiyan)
- Polling Station No. 26 (Kshetra Panchayat Office, Fatehabad)
A fresh repoll was organized peacefully on Monday, October 26, recording a 57% voter turnout across the three booths. Officials confirmed that personnel implicated in the initial lapses or associated unlawful activities were strictly barred from duty during the repoll.
Broader Political Context and What Happens Next
The crackdown occurs against the backdrop of wider biennial elections across Uttar Pradesh for 11 Legislative Council seats (five Graduates’ and six Teachers’ Constituencies) involving 152 candidates.
By enforcing swift disciplinary measures, the Commission aims to send a stern message regarding election integrity ahead of vote counting, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The U.P. Chief Electoral Officer has been ordered to submit an immediate compliance report on the issuance of charge-sheets.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why did the ECI suspend the six UP officials in Agra?
The officers were suspended for gross dereliction of duty and failing to exercise effective supervision and control within and around polling stations during the October 23 Legislative Council election.
Q2: Which polling booths were affected by the ECI repoll order?
Repolling was ordered under Section 58A at Polling Station No. 20 (Kheragarh), No. 21 (Saiyan), and No. 26 (Fatehabad).
Q3: What was the voter turnout during the Agra repoll on October 26?
The repoll was conducted peacefully on Monday, October 26, recording an overall voter turnout of 57%.
Q4: What further administrative steps are being taken against the suspended officers?
The ECI directed state authorities to prepare draft charge-sheets and submit them to the Commission for review within 10 days before formal issuance.
Q5: How many other personnel face departmental action over the Agra poll lapses?
In addition to the six suspended officers, 21 personnel—including presiding officers, polling clerks, and police constables—are facing formal disciplinary proceedings.
