ULB polls in Andhra Pradesh: SEC orders strict implementation of Supreme Court’s directions

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) Anil Chandra Punetha has directed the Collectors and Superintendents of Police of seven districts of Kadapa, Annamayya, Tirupati, Anantapur, Prakasam, Palnadu, and Markapuram, where filing of nominations for elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) was marred by violent clashes, to strictly implement the orders issued by the ​Supreme Court on October 21.

The SEC stated that the election process in all Municipal Corporations and Municipalities would continue as per schedule, except 19 Corporations and Municipalities in the above districts due to large-scale complaints of intimidation and physical attacks. 

Conducting elections in these ULBs would be subject to a decision to be taken by the SEC.

In a video conference with the Collectors and SPs along with SEC Secretary A. Mallikarjuna, Additional DGP (L&O) N. Madhusudhan Reddy and Inspector General of Police B. Raja Kumari on Wednesday, Mr. Punetha said steps must be taken to implement the Supreme Court’s directions immediately. 

He said the SEC would take appropriate decisions after receiving the Supreme Court order, on the basis of the reports submitted by the District Collectors and SPs. He directed the officers to take steps to prevent the repeat of the incidents that occurred so far during the filing of nominations for elections to the Mandal and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs and ZPTCs).

Th enomination process began on October 21 and is scheduled to end on October 23. 

With regard to the rule that candidates should submit ‘No Objection Certificates’ and ‘No Dues Certificates’ at the time of filing nominations for MPTC and ZPTC elections, the SEC clarified that instructions were issued to the officials to issue the certificates within 24 hours only for the purpose of elections.

It would therefore not be a constraint. He advised the officials concerned not to impose additional conditions contrary to the election code that put the eligible candidates to trouble in filing nominations.