Local body elections: SEC directs maintenance of law and order as violence continues in some areas

The State Election Commission (SEC) on Saturday issued instructions with regard to the violence that erupted during the nomination filing phase of the local body elections as the TDP and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) clashed with each other again in some areas and lodged fresh complaints.

State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha ordered the Collectors / District Election Authorities and the Commissioners of Police / Superintendents of Police to bring the situation under control by deploying additional forces.

He instructed the provision of adequate security at all the nomination filing centers so that the interested candidates could file their papers by 3 p.m. on October 18 (last date for filing nominations in the Urban Local Bodies), and to ensure CCTV camera coverage at all such centres and storage of the footage for 60 days as per the High Court orders.

Besides, Mr. Punetha warned that the SEC would take strict action (transfer / replacement / suspension etc.) against the officials concerned in the event of breakdown of law and order resulting in the failure of candidates to file their nominations.

Addressing a press conference later, Mr. Punetha said tense situations were reported at various places, including Rayachoti, Pulivendula, Tirupati, Darsi, Rajampet, and Dachepalli, and that he spoke with the Collectors of the respective districts and reviewed the situation, along with SEC A. Mallikarjuna.

The officials were told to pay special attention to keep the situation under control on October 18 when a surge was expected in the filing of nominations for the ULBs.

Arrest Midhun Reddy: TDP

Meanwhile, in a letter to the SEC, TDP leaders P. Ashok Babu and Varla Ramaiah requested that Rajampet MP P.V. Midhun Reddy be arrested for alleged involvement in vandalism and criminal offences in Punganur on October 16, withdrawal of his personal security as he used them in committing offences, and to detain / deter him from openly participating in the election process due to his limited role in it as an MP.

On the other hand, YSRCP State general secretary Lella Appi Reddy wrote letters to the SEC seeking action against TDP leaders in Tirupati, Kadapa, Rayachoti, holding them responsible for the violence, saying that it vitiated the election process.