Re-polling began at three polling stations in the Agra Division Teachers’ Legislative Council (MLC) constituency on Monday, October 26, following allegations of irregularities during the previous polling. Six per cent of voters had cast their ballots by 9 am. Security arrangements have been tightened at all three stations. Vote counting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.
Polling began at 8 am at polling station number 20 on the Kheragarh tehsil premises, polling station number 21 at the Kshetra Panchayat office in Saiyan, and polling station number 26 at the Kshetra Panchayat office in Fatehabad.
The Election Commission ordered fresh polling at these three stations after allegations of booth capturing and irregularities emerged during the previous voting. The re-polling is being conducted under heightened police security and is scheduled to continue until 4 pm.
Police personnel have been deployed at all three locations, and officials have been instructed to monitor the polling process. The administration has made additional security arrangements to prevent a recurrence of the complaints reported during the earlier round of voting.
Polling for the Agra Division Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies was held on Friday, October 23. During the election, Samajwadi Party candidate for the Teachers’ MLC seat, Dr Akash Agrawal, alleged irregularities at three polling stations.
Dr Agrawal approached the divisional commissioner’s office to submit his complaint. He reportedly became emotional and broke down while presenting his allegations to officials. He claimed that voting had not been conducted fairly at certain booths and submitted evidence to support his complaint.
The matter subsequently reached the Election Commission. Following the complaints, the commission declared the polling at the three concerned stations void and ordered re-polling.
However, the decision to cancel the earlier polling does not, by itself, establish that all the allegations of booth capturing have been proven.
Following directions from the Secretary of the Election Commission of India, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer declared the polling conducted at the three stations invalid. A fresh polling schedule was subsequently announced.
Nagendra Pratap, the divisional commissioner and returning officer for the Agra Division Teachers’ constituency, said polling at the three stations would take place on Monday from 8 am to 4 pm.
The decision has provided eligible voters associated with the affected polling stations another opportunity to cast their ballots. Election officials are responsible for completing the re-polling process without further disputes.
In view of the allegations raised during the previous polling, the police and administration have increased vigilance at all three stations. Additional police personnel have been deployed, and officials have been instructed to monitor proceedings to prevent disputes during voting.
Voting in the Teachers’ constituency is restricted to eligible electors included on the electoral roll. Verification of voter identity remains part of the polling process.
The administration is seeking to ensure that all eligible voters can cast their ballots without pressure or obstruction. Security arrangements are to remain in place until polling concludes.
A total of 12 candidates are contesting the Agra Division Teachers’ MLC election. Following the completion of re-polling at the three stations, attention will turn to the counting of votes.
According to the announced schedule, counting will begin at 8 am on Tuesday, October 27, at the Galla Mandi on Firozabad Road. The counting process will determine the election outcome.
The cancellation of polling at the three stations following the complaint by Samajwadi Party candidate Dr Akash Agrawal has brought the election under scrutiny. The results will become clear after the re-polling votes are counted.
