Amaravati, Oct 22 The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has halted the election process across 100 urban local bodies (ULBs), following directions from the Supreme Court.
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha issued an order on Wednesday, stopping further proceedings in 13 Municipal Corporations, 87 Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats.
The SEC had earlier issued a notification for the elections to the urban local bodies (ULB) on October 14.
As per the election schedule, nomination took place from October 16 to 18 and the scrutiny of nomination papers on October 19.
“In view of the…directions (from the SC), the State Election Commission hereby, order that the further election process in respect of all 100 Urban Local Bodies in the state shall be stopped forthwith,” said Punetha in an official press release late on Wednesday.
The decision comes after the YSRCP filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order refusing to extend the nomination deadline, which ended on October 19.
The SEC was directed by the apex court to postpone the publication of the final list of candidates till October 25.
Further, Punetha was also directed to consider the representations made by the petitioner (YSRCP) and various candidates.
The SC also ordered the State Election Commission to consider the evidentiary material as well as electronic evidence placed before it to take a decision to extend the last date of filing nominations in the ULBs, wherever it is of the view that candidates were unable to file their nominations due to the law and order situation.
As directed by the SC, Punetha said the commission will issue an order on extension of the last date for filing nominations on October 22 after obtaining reports from the district administrations.
And the time to file nominations shall be extended not less than 48 hours from the time of publishing the decision by amending the election notification, said Punetha.
The petition by YSRCP was filed in the Supreme Court through Advocate-on-Record Mahfooz A Nazki.
The party brought to the notice of the Supreme Court the alleged violent incidents that took place in Punganur, Rayachoti, Kadapa and Tirupati during the nomination process.
It alleged that YSRCP candidates were attacked, threatened and prevented from reaching nomination centres.
YSRCP requested the Supreme Court to direct the authorities to provide adequate police protection to candidates and ensure that they can file their nominations “without fear”.
(PTI News)
