UP MLC polls: ECI orders six suspensions and action against 21 others

The UP MLC polls have led the Election Commission to order the immediate suspension of six supervisory officers over alleged failures during voting in the Agra Teachers’ Constituency. The directions were issued on Monday after the commission received a report from the Agra divisional commissioner.

Disciplinary proceedings were also ordered against 21 other personnel involved in polling duties. The action follows irregularities that led the commission to cancel voting at three polling stations and require fresh polling.

The original vote took place on October 23. On October 24, the commission declared the process at stations 20, 21 and 26 void and directed a repoll there.

Charge-sheets and compliance reports sought

The six officials facing suspension had been assigned to stations 21 and 26. The commission faulted their supervision and control of activity at the premises and surrounding areas.

Authorities were told to prepare draft charge-sheets and send them to the commission for scrutiny within 10 days before formally issuing them. An immediate report confirming compliance was also requested.

The additional disciplinary action covers five polling officials and 16 police personnel. Reports differed on the designation breakdown among the five polling officials, so the overall figure is retained.

In its UP MLC polls directions, the commission also asked the divisional commissioner to establish responsibility for incidents that made the repoll necessary. It said people involved in unlawful activity linked to those irregularities should not be assigned duties for the fresh vote.

Separately, the commission replaced observer Abhay for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Division Teachers’ Constituency after BJP legislator Devendra Pratap Singh alleged irregularities. Prakash Bindu was appointed in his place.

Counting for 11 Legislative Council seats, including Gorakhpur-Faizabad, was scheduled for Tuesday, October 27. The reports described the disciplinary measures as directions over alleged duty lapses.

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