YSRCP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday called for reforms in the appointment of Election Commissioners, saying the process must be independent of the government in power. Expressing regret over his party's support for the law governing the appointment of Election Commissioners in 2023, Jagan said the system needed to be revisited to ensure public trust in elections.
“Approving that, I am regretting it now,” Jagan said, referring to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which his party had supported in Parliament.
Drawing a comparison between elections and examinations, he said, “An examiner cannot be appointed by the student.” He argued that even an honest Election Commissioner could face questions about impartiality if appointed through a process that was not neutral.
Jagan said the current system, in which the government in power has a role in appointing Election Commissioners, was a structural flaw that needed to be corrected.
“If the flaw is repaired, then the system can run well.” he said.
JAGAN SEEKS NEUTRAL APPOINTMENT PROCESS
The former Chief Minister argued that the appointment of Election Commissioners should not be controlled by the political establishment in power, stressing that a neutral body should be responsible for the selection process.
He also called for similar reforms in the appointment of State Election Commissioners, saying they should not be appointed by the Chief Minister but through a neutral mechanism.
His remarks came amid allegations that the ruling TDP-led NDA coalition in Andhra Pradesh was using attacks, intimidation and the police machinery to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations for local body elections.
Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Jagan accused the ruling coalition of resorting to undemocratic tactics out of fear of electoral defeat.
“The TDP-led NDA coalition is preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations for local body elections through attacks, intimidation and misuse of the police machinery,” he alleged.
ALLEGES ATTACKS ON YSRCP CANDIDATES
Jagan alleged that YSRCP candidates had their nomination papers snatched away, while party workers and their associates were attacked, kidnapped and intimidated. He also accused the ruling party of arson and filing false cases against opposition workers, allegedly with the knowledge of the police.
He alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was using government officials, police personnel and TDP supporters to influence the election process because he lacked confidence in the people's mandate.
Referring to previous local body elections, Jagan said the YSRCP had achieved a strike rate of more than 90 per cent when N Ramesh Kumar, whom he described as a staunch TDP supporter, was the State Election Commissioner. He alleged that the ruling coalition was now resorting to similar tactics despite having an Election Commissioner whom he described as loyal to the TDP.
Jagan also alleged that YSRCP MPs and party workers faced obstruction in Kadapa, Punganur and Tirupati, where nomination papers were either seized or not accepted, vehicles were attacked and supporters assaulted.
In Pulivendula, he accused police personnel of acting in favour of the TDP, alleging that they pelted stones and fired in the air to intimidate candidates who had come to file their nominations. He termed the alleged firing during the nomination process unprecedented.
He further alleged that TDP supporters were allowed to gather in groups, while YSRCP workers were prevented from entering nomination centres despite being accompanied by the four persons permitted under the rules.
Jagan said YSRCP candidates were still unable to file their nominations in several places on the final day, including Tirupati, Kadapa, Kamalapuram, Rayachoti, Punganur, Darsi, Gurazala, Dachepalli, Piduguralla, Badvel and Rajampet.
QUESTIONS ELECTION SCHEDULE AND VOTER ROLLS
Jagan questioned the timing of the election schedule, alleging that it was announced a day after reservation details were released. He claimed this left opposition parties with little time to prepare, while the government had prior access to the information.
He also alleged that although the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) had identified 46 lakh fake voters, the government had decided to proceed with the elections using an unrevised electoral roll. He further claimed that the delimitation of divisions and wards had been carried out to favour the ruling NDA coalition.
Calling the situation a passing phase, Jagan warned that those responsible for the alleged irregularities would be held accountable.
He also claimed that the YSRCP had fulfilled its manifesto commitments before seeking another mandate, contrasting this with the TDP, which he accused of failing to honour its poll promises. He commended those resisting what he described as undemocratic governance.
There was no immediate reaction from the ruling TDP.
ANDHRA PRADESH LOCAL BODY ELECTION SCHEDULE
Elections to 100 urban local bodies will be held on October 28, with results scheduled for October 30.
Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections are scheduled for November 3, with counting on November 5.
Gram panchayat elections will be held in three phases on November 26, November 29 and December 2. Results will be declared on the day of each phase.
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With inputs from PTI