The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has halted elections for 100 urban local bodies following a directive from the Supreme Court. State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha announced on Wednesday that all election activities would cease immediately in 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats.

The commission had previously issued an election notification on October 14, with the nomination process set to occur from October 16 to 18. The scrutiny of nomination papers was scheduled for October 19. However, in light of the Supreme Court’s instructions, Punetha stated that the election process for all urban local bodies in the state would be stopped forthwith.

This decision was prompted by a special leave petition filed by the YSR Congress Party in the Supreme Court. The petition contested an order from the Andhra Pradesh High Court that denied an extension of the nomination deadline, which concluded on October 19.

Supreme Court Directives on Nomination Process

The Supreme Court has mandated that the State Election Commission postpone the publication of the final list of candidates until October 25. Furthermore, the court instructed Punetha to consider representations made by the YSR Congress Party and other candidates regarding the nomination process.

The court also directed the commission to review documents and electronic evidence submitted before making a decision on whether to extend the nomination deadline. This consideration is particularly pertinent for urban local bodies where candidates may have faced challenges in filing their papers due to law-and-order issues.

Concerns Over Violence During Nomination

The YSR Congress Party submitted the petition through advocate-on-record Mahfooz A Nazki, highlighting concerns over alleged violence during the nomination process in various locations, including Punganur, Rayachoti, Kadapa, and Tirupati. The party claimed that its candidates faced attacks, threats, and were obstructed from reaching nomination centres.

In its petition, the YSRCP requested the court to instruct the authorities to ensure adequate police protection for candidates, allowing them to file their nominations without fear of violence or intimidation. The party’s concerns underscore the challenges faced by candidates in the current political climate.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s directives, the election process across all 100 urban local bodies will remain suspended while the State Election Commission reviews the representations and evidence presented. The commission’s assessment will also involve gathering reports from district administrations to inform its decision on the nomination deadline.

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