The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) not to publish the final list of candidates for upcoming urban local body elections until October 26, after the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) alleged that several of its candidates were assaulted and prevented from filing nomination papers.
A vacation bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the party led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had “made out prima facie case” that several candidates were obstructed from filing nominations for polls to around 100 urban local bodies. The final candidates’ list was scheduled to be published on Wednesday.
The bench directed the state election panel to examine complaints from the YSRCP and other candidates, along with relevant material, alleging that they were prevented from filing nominations. It asked the SEC to decide by Thursday whether the nomination deadline should be extended.
The court also directed the Andhra Pradesh director general of police (DGP) to provide adequate security to contesting candidates and election offices. Observing that filing nomination papers was a facet of free and fair elections, it asked the SEC to take all necessary steps to address apprehensions among the YSRCP and other candidates about the fairness of the electoral process.
The bench further directed the SEC to file a compliance affidavit by October 27, the next date of hearing.
YSRCP challenges Andhra Pradesh High Court order
The YSRCP approached the Supreme Court challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court's October 18 order refusing to extend the nomination period by a day. The party has alleged that violence in the state prevented its candidates from filing nominations for the urban local body elections.
According to the plea filed by YSRCP general secretary Lella Appireddy through advocate Mahfooz Ahsan Nazki, several party candidates were allegedly assaulted and physically prevented from reaching nomination centres during the filing period, which began on October 16 and ended on October 18.
The party has sought police protection for its candidates, an extension of the nomination deadline and the designation of additional and alternative nomination centres to allow candidates to submit their papers safely.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had dismissed the party's plea for an extension, holding that the nomination deadline had expired and that extending it would amount to interference with the election process.
The Supreme Court's latest directions require the SEC to examine the complaints and decide on a possible extension of the nomination period, while ensuring security for candidates and election offices ahead of the polls.
(With inputs from PTI)