EC orders suspension of 5 cops after complaints of harassment of voters in UP

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday ordered the suspension of five police personnel and removal of many others accused of violating guidelines by obstructing voters during the Uttar Pradesh bypolls.

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The action follows complaints of voter suppression and allegations by Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav.

Yadav had earlier urged the EC to suspend police officers who were allegedly checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs without authorization, submitting video evidence to support his claims.

Two sub-inspectors in Muzaffarnagar have been suspended for "non-compliance" with Election Commission (EC) guidelines, officials said. The action follows complaints about police checking voter identity cards in Moradabad. Investigations revealed lapses in Bhikanpur Kulwara and Milak Siri illages, leading to the removal of one subinspector, two head constables, and two women constables from poll duty. They have been reassigned to the police lines.

In a separate case, a police officer entered a polling booth to check on the polling process, violating EC rules. The officer has been suspended, and departmental proceedings will follow.

Similar incidents occurred in Sisamau, Kanpur, prompting further suspensions.