Amid outcry, poll body orders re-poll at three polling stations under Agra Teachers MLC seat

Amid uproar, the Election Commission of India (ECI), on the recommendation of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday (October 24, 2026) declared the poll taken at polling stations No. 20, 21 and 26 of Agra Division Teachers’ Constituency as void and fixed October 26th for taking a fresh/re-poll at these polling booths.

“I am directed to refer to your letter No. 7050310-2-14/2-2025, dated 24.10.2026, on the subject cited and to state that the Commission, having considered the matter, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 58A (2)(a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, declares the poll taken on 23rd October, 2026 at Polling Stations No. 20, 21 and 26 of Agra Division Teachers’ Constituency as void and fixes the date 26th October, 2026 (Monday) and the time 08:00 am to 04:00 pm for taking fresh/re-poll at said polling stations. It must be ensured that the persons involved in any unlawful activities which may have caused the irregularities/lapses leading to vitiation of poll are not deputed during the said re-poll,” reads a letter issued by the Secretary, Election Commission of India, to the Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, in a statement, the Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh, said, “The Returning Officer of the Agra Teachers’ Constituency has recommended re-polling at three polling stations, which has been forwarded to the Election Commission of India. The three polling stations recommended for re-polling are as follows: Polling Station No. 20-Tehsil Campus Kheragarh Room No. 1, Polling Station No. 21- Area Panchayat Office Saiya Room No. 1, Polling Station No. 26- Area Panchayat Office Fatehabad Room No. 1,”. 

The recent developments comes amid, the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from Agra Division, Teacher’s seat, Akash Agarwal has alleged irregularities and extreme harassment of his supporters during Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections on the seat and announced to change his faith, adding he do not want to live in such a Sanatan faith where he is treated as terrorist. “It feels as though I am a terrorist. I am being harassed so much. I do not want to live in such a Sanatan faith. I will go to Lucknow’s Shahi Eidgah next month and change my faith,” said Mr. Agarwal, with tears in his eyes. 

The SP Akhilesh Yadav linked Mr. Agarwal’s outcry to the Agarwal community, claiming that the entire Agarwal community of Uttar Pradesh, the country, and the world is deeply hurt by these tears and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossed all limits of electoral malpractice. “The entire Agarwal community of Uttar Pradesh, the country, and the world is deeply hurt by these tears. To defeat the SP candidate, Dr. Akash Agarwal, in the Teacher MLC election, BJP members, their allies, and officials crossed all limits of electoral fraud. Harassed, saddened, and humiliated, Dr. Akash Agarwal is announcing a decision that has, like him, distressed the entire Agarwal community. When the time comes, we will restore the honour and respect of the entire ‘Aggarwal community’ by giving due respect and place to Dr. Akash Agarwal ji. The corrupt rule of these treacherous BJP members and their allies, who are election robbers, will no longer endure. The public will now destroy them,” wrote Mr. Yadav, on X.