SEC Holds Emergency Review on Local Body Elections

Following the Supreme Court’s directions regarding local body elections in Andhra Pradesh, State Election Commission (SEC) Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha held a video conference on Wednesday with senior officials from seven districts. During the meeting, he discussed complaints submitted by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the supporting evidence and the action taken by the authorities. District collectors and superintendents of police briefed the SEC on the issues raised. The Commission is reportedly considering making a final decision only after receiving a copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment. Punetha also discussed the matter with the Andhra Pradesh government’s standing counsel in the Supreme Court and State Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas.

The YSRCP had approached the Supreme Court alleging that its candidates were prevented from filing nominations in 19 municipalities and nagar panchayats across seven districts. The party sought an extension of the nomination deadline, citing the alleged obstruction. After hearing the matter, the Supreme Court directed the SEC to examine the complaints and take an appropriate decision. It also instructed the Commission to publish the final list of candidates contesting in the 19 municipalities and nagar panchayats on October 25. In light of these directions, the SEC Commissioner convened an urgent meeting with the collectors and police chiefs of the seven districts to review the complaints, the available evidence and the steps taken so far.