Amaravati, Nov 3: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly criticised the conduct of municipal and corporation elections in the state, alleging widespread irregularities in the election process, including counting and declaration of results.
In a post on his official X account, Jagan accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the police department and the State Election Commission (SEC) of working together to prevent opposition candidates from competing freely in the elections.
He alleged that irregularities took place at every stage of the election process, starting from the filing of nominations to the counting of votes.
Listing the alleged irregularities, Jagan said that the nomination process was hijacked, scrutiny and withdrawal procedures were manipulated, and opposition polling agents were obstructed or forcibly removed from polling stations.
He also alleged that polling was rigged, voter turnout figures were manipulated and the counting process was compromised.
“You selected the candidates; the people never elected them. These are no longer elections but selections,” Jagan said in his post.
Taking a swipe at Chandrababu Naidu, the police and the SEC, he sarcastically congratulated them for demonstrating how to secure an election victory without giving the opposition an opportunity to compete.
Jagan further stressed that the alleged irregularities had once again highlighted the urgent need for electoral reforms in Andhra Pradesh. He said the developments had raised serious questions about the fairness, transparency and credibility of the democratic process.
His remarks come amid continuing political controversy over the conduct of local body elections in the state.
