Supreme Court directs AP Election Commission to review poll nomination deadlines after YSRCP violence claims

UPDATE - follow-up to Supreme Court finds prima facie case in YSRCP plea for more time to file nominations in Andhra civic polls: The Supreme Court has directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to postpone publishing the final list of candidates to October 25. The top court acted on a petition by the YSR Congress Party. The party alleged its candidates faced mass violence and were blocked from filing nomination papers for urban local body elections.

SEC Orders

The State Election Commission must decide by Thursday whether to extend the nomination deadline wherever candidates were unable to file. This decision must rely on representations and evidence submitted by the party and candidates, including electronic proof. If the deadline is extended, candidates must get at least 48 hours from the decision to submit papers through an amended election notification. Nominations must also be permitted at district headquarters.

Security Steps

The Director General of Police must ensure adequate security, maintain CCTV footage at nomination centres, and file a compliance report in the Supreme Court. The Election Commission must also take steps to remove all fears among participants and file its own compliance report. The petition was filed by party general secretary Lella Appireddy through advocate Mahfooz Ahsan Nazki, challenging an earlier High Court order that refused an extension.

Reactions and Background

Former Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy welcomed the order, stating the party hopes the process will now be fair and free. The nomination period had originally run from October 16 to October 18, and elections are scheduled from October 28 to December 2. The YSRCP cited incidents of violence in places like Punganur and Rayachoti, alleging that ruling Telugu Desam Party supporters carried out the attacks.

Context

State election commissions manage local body polls in India, while high courts and the Supreme Court handle legal disputes arising from election processes. Disputes over candidate nominations often trigger urgent judicial intervention when parties allege widespread intimidation and denial of access to nomination centres.