ECI takes major action over negligence during MLC elections in Agra, suspends 6 officials

October 26, 2026

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued orders suspending six officials for alleged negligence during voting in the Agra Division Teachers’ constituency on October 23. The suspended officials include four policemen.

The Commission took this action based on an investigation report submitted by the Agra Division Commissioner and the Returning Officer of the Agra Division Teachers’ constituency. In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh, the ECI stated that charge sheets will be issued to the six officials, while departmental action will be initiated against 21 other polling personnel.

Re-polling at three polling stations

The Commission’s action came amid re-polling at polling stations 20, 21, and 26 in the Agra Division Teachers’ constituency for the biennial Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections on Monday.

The ECI expressed serious concern over the negligence of officials, stating that those responsible for monitoring failed to maintain effective surveillance and proper control in and around polling stations. The Commission clarified that such negligence by officials in responsible positions is viewed seriously and cannot be tolerated.

six Officials Suspended

According to the Commission’s statement, three officials associated with polling station number 21, Room No. 1 of the Area Panchayat Office, Saiya, have been suspended. These include Agra’s District Khadi and Village Industries Officer and Sector Magistrate O.P. Chak, Crime Branch Inspector and Sector Police Officer Harisharan Singh, and Etmaddaula Police Station Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar.

Action has been taken against three other officials associated with polling station number 26. These include Fatehabad’s Regional Forest Officer and Sector Magistrate Vishal Rathore, Fatehabad’s Additional Inspector Purushottam Pal, and Ekta Police Station Sub-Inspector Sumit Tyagi.

Action will also be taken against 21 other polling personnel

The ECI has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh to prepare and issue charge sheets against the suspended officers. The Commission has asked the draft charge sheets to be sent to the Commission for scrutiny within 10 days from the date of issuance of the letter. They will then be formally issued to the concerned officials.

In addition, departmental action will be initiated against five other polling officers—two presiding officers and three polling officers—deployed at polling stations 21 and 26, along with 16 police personnel. These police personnel include five head constables and 11 constables.

It is noteworthy that voting for 11 seats of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council took place on Friday. These included five graduate constituencies and six teacher constituencies. A total of 152 candidates were contesting in these 11 constituencies.