The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to defer publishing the final list of candidates contesting the local body polls in the state until October 25, reported Bar and Bench.
The direction followed allegations by the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party that the ruling Telugu Desam Party’s cadre and supporters had obstructed its candidates from filing nominations, reported The Indian Express.
The list was scheduled to be published on Wednesday, Bar and Bench reported.
A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana told the State Election Commission to look into the allegations by the YSRCP candidates, reported Live Law. The bench told the poll body to extend the deadline for filing nominations wherever it finds that a candidate was unable to do so due to a law and order situation.
“Such decision shall be taken by the Election Commission positively by tomorrow,” the bench was quoted as saying. “And wherever the Election Commission chooses to extend the time, such time shall be extended till not less than 48 hours from the date of taking a decision.”
The bench also told the director general of police to ensure that candidates are provided with necessary protection and that there are closed-circuit television cameras at the nomination centres.
The matter was listed for hearing next on October 27.
The election...