The Election Commission of India on Monday ordered the suspension of six officials for lapses during the Agra Teachers' Constituency MLC polling. The commission said, "The officers entrusted with supervisory responsibilities failed to ensure effective supervision." It also started disciplinary action against five polling officials and 16 policemen involved.
Also orders disciplinary action against five polling officials, 16 policemen deployed at three polling booths
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered suspension of six officials, including two sector magistrates and four police personnel, deployed for the supervision of voting at three booths in the MLC's Agra Teachers' Constituency where repolling was held following allegations of irregularities and malpractices on the day of voting on October 24.
The Commission also ordered disciplinary action against five polling officials and 16 policemen deployed on duty at the three polling booths.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) had sent a letter to the ECI recommending repolling in the seat and action against the officials responsible for the irregularities.
The commission had on October 24 ordered the Agra Divisional Commissioner to probe the allegations of irregularities and malpractices leading to the repolling.
The Divisional Commissioner submitted the inquiry report on Sunday.
In a letter sent to the CEO on Monday after receiving the Divisional Commissioner's report, the Commission said, "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."
Taking cognisance of serious lapses, the Commission directed suspension of the officers with immediate effect.
Those against whom the suspension order was issued are OP Chak, sector magistrate and Agra district khadi and village industries officer, Harisharan Singh, sector police officer and Agra Crime Branch inspector, Sandeep Kumar, sub-inspector, Etmaddaula police station; Vishal Rathore, sector magistrate and regional forest officer, Fatehabad, Purushottam Pal, additional inspector, Fatehabad, and Sumit Tyagi, sub-inspector, Ekta Police Station.
The commission also directed the officials concerned to issue chargesheets against the "delinquent" officers and forward the draft chargesheets to the Commission for vetting within 10 days.
The officials facing disciplinary proceedings include two presiding officers, three polling officers and 16 police personnel deployed at polling stations 21 and 26.