The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday immediately stopped the ongoing election process for all 100 urban local bodies in the state, following directions from the Supreme Court.
In an official order issued by State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha (IAS Retd), the Commission directed that the further election process in respect of all 100 Urban Local Bodies “shall be stopped forthwith.” The bodies include 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats.
The decision follows a Supreme Court order of the same day in a petition filed by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The apex court directed the SEC to postpone the publication of the final list of candidates (originally scheduled for October 21) until October 25. It also asked the Commission to examine representations, supporting material, and electronic evidence submitted by the party and candidates alleging that they were unable to file nominations due to law-and-order problems, including violence, threats, and intimidation.
The Court further directed the SEC to take a positive decision by Thursday, October 22, on whether to extend the last date for filing nominations in areas where candidates were prevented from doing so. If an extension is granted, it must be for not less than 48 hours from the time the decision is published, and the election notification must be amended accordingly.
The SEC said it would issue a further order on October 22 after receiving reports from District Collectors, District Election Authorities, Commissioners of Police, and Superintendents of Police.
Elections to these urban local bodies were notified on October 14. Nominations were accepted from October 16 to 18, with scrutiny completed on October 19. Polling had been scheduled for October 28, with counting on October 30.
The YSRCP had approached the Supreme Court after the Andhra Pradesh High Court declined to extend the nomination period. The party alleged that its candidates faced obstruction, assaults, threats, and denial of access to nomination centres in several areas during the filing window. The Court observed that free and fair elections form part of the basic structure of the Constitution and that the right to participate by filing nominations is a facet of that process.
The SEC’s order was circulated to all relevant district officials, urban local body commissioners, returning officers, the Director General of Police, and other authorities for immediate compliance.
