ECI suspends 6 officials over polling lapses in Agra MLC election
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India moved swiftly after detecting supervisory failures at Agra's MLC polling stations — suspending six officials including four policemen, ordering charge sheets, and triggering disciplinary action against 21 more. A re-poll at three booths followed the same day, signalling the ECI's zero-tolerance stance on poll-day dereliction.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the suspension of six officials , including four police personnel , for lapses during Agra Division Teachers' Constituency MLC polling on 23 October 2025 .
An additional 21 polling officials will face departmental disciplinary proceedings.
Suspended officials include sector magistrates and police officers from Polling Station Nos.
The ECI directed charge sheets to be issued within 10 days and forwarded to the Commission for vetting.
A re-poll was conducted on Monday at Polling Station Nos.
20, 21, and 26 of the same constituency.
Polling was held on 23 October across 11 MLC constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, with 152 candidates in contention.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday, 27 October 2025, ordered the suspension of six officials — including four police personnel — for alleged lapses at polling stations of the Agra Division Teachers' Constituency during the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC) biennial election held on 23 October. The suspensions were based on an inquiry report submitted by the Divisional Commissioner, Agra, who also serves as the Returning Officer for the constituency.
Officials Suspended and Disciplinary Action
The six delinquent officials will face formal charge sheets, while an additional 21 polling officials are set to face departmental disciplinary proceedings. The ECI communicated the action through a letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Uttar Pradesh.
From Polling Station No. 21 at Kshetra Panchayat Office, Saiyan, Room No. 1, the suspended officials include O.P. Chak, Sector Magistrate and District Khadi and Village Industries Officer, Agra; Inspector Harisharan Singh, Crime Branch and Sector Police Officer; and Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar of Etmaddaula Police Station, Agra.
Suspended from Polling Station No. 26 are Vishal Rathore, Sector Magistrate and Regional Forest Officer, Fatehabad; Inspector Purushottam Pal, Additional Inspector, Fatehabad; and Sub-Inspector Sumit Tyagi of Ekta Police Station.
What the Election Commission Said
In its letter to the CEO, the ECI stated: 'With utmost concern, the Commission has observed that the officers entrusted with supervisory responsibilities failed to ensure effective supervision and maintain proper control within and in the vicinity of the polling stations. Such dereliction of duty on the part of officers holding supervisory positions is viewed seriously and cannot be condoned.'
The Commission further directed that charge sheets be issued to the delinquent officials and that draft charge sheets be forwarded to the Commission for vetting within 10 days of the letter's date, before formal issuance to the officials concerned.
Re-Poll Ordered at Three Booths
The ECI's action coincided with a re-poll on Monday at Polling Station Nos. 20, 21, and 26 of the Agra Division Teachers' Constituency, ordered as a direct consequence of the lapses detected on 23 October. The re-poll covered the same biennial election to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.
Broader Election Context
Polling across 11 MLC constituencies — comprising five graduate constituencies and six teachers' constituencies — was held on 23 October (Friday). A total of 152 candidates contested across these constituencies. The Agra Division Teachers' Constituency was among the six teachers' seats where voting took place.
Disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against five other polling officials — including two Presiding Officers and three Polling Officers — and 16 police personnel, comprising five Head Constables and 11 Constables, deployed at the affected polling stations. As the ECI pursues accountability, the outcome of the re-poll at the three affected booths will now be closely watched.
Point of View
Not just press releases. What stands out is the granularity: the Commission named individual officials, identified specific polling stations, and set a 10-day deadline for charge sheets. Yet the broader question is whether such post-facto action deters future lapses or merely punishes them after the damage is done. With re-polls a recurring feature of UP's MLC elections, a systemic review of booth-level supervision protocols appears overdue.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ECI suspend officials in Agra?
The Election Commission of India suspended six officials — including four police personnel — for alleged supervisory lapses at Polling Station Nos. 21 and 26 of the Agra Division Teachers' Constituency during the UP MLC biennial election on 23 October 2025. The action was based on an inquiry report filed by the Divisional Commissioner, Agra, who is also the Returning Officer for the constituency.
Who are the officials suspended by the ECI?
The suspended officials include sector magistrates O.P. Chak and Vishal Rathore, Inspector Harisharan Singh, Inspector Purushottam Pal, Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar, and Sub-Inspector Sumit Tyagi. They were deployed at Polling Station Nos. 21 and 26 in Agra during the 23 October MLC election.
What is the re-poll ordered by the ECI in Agra?
The ECI ordered a re-poll at Polling Station Nos. 20, 21, and 26 of the Agra Division Teachers' Constituency on Monday, 27 October 2025, following the detection of polling lapses on 23 October. The re-poll covered the same biennial election to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.
How many officials face action in total?
A total of 27 officials face action: six have been suspended and will receive charge sheets, while 21 others — including presiding officers, polling officers, and police constables — will face departmental disciplinary proceedings. The ECI has directed charge sheets to be filed within 10 days.
What was the scale of the UP MLC election held on 23 October?
Polling was conducted across 11 MLC constituencies in Uttar Pradesh — five graduate and six teachers' constituencies — on 23 October 2025. A total of 152 candidates contested across these 11 seats, with the Agra Division Teachers' Constituency being one of the affected seats.
