Amaravati, Oct 21: The Supreme Court has intervened in the Andhra Pradesh municipal elections following allegations that opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) candidates were attacked, threatened and prevented from filing their nomination papers. The court directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) to examine complaints of election-related violence and decide whether to extend the nomination deadline in affected areas.
Following the Supreme Court’s directions on October 21, 2026, the SEC held a review meeting to examine complaints from 19 urban local bodies. State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, SEC Secretary Mallikarjuna and Inspector General of Police Rajakumari participated in the meeting.
The review focused on alleged attacks on candidates, obstruction during the nomination process, police cases and the need for additional security.
Supreme Court Directs SEC to Review Nomination Extension
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana directed the AP State Election Commission to examine complaints from YSRCP and other candidates who alleged that they were prevented from filing nominations because of violence and law-and-order problems.
The court ordered the SEC to decide on the nomination extension by October 22. It also directed the commission to withhold publication of the final list of contesting candidates until October 25.
If the SEC decides to extend the nomination period, candidates must be given an additional 48 hours from the publication of its decision to file their papers.
The court also directed the Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) to provide adequate security to candidates and election offices. The SEC and the state government were asked to submit compliance reports, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on October 27.
SEC Reviews Complaints From 19 Urban Local Bodies
The SEC’s review covers 19 areas where candidates reportedly faced difficulties during the nomination process. These include:
Piduguralla, Gurazala, Darsi, Punganur, Mydukur, Kamalapuram, Yerraguntla, Rayachoti, Dachepalli, Gooty, Kadapa, Rajampet, Pulivendula, Badvel, Tirupati, Proddatur, Kanigiri, Tadipatri and Jammalamadugu.
The commission is examining the incidents, police cases and complaints to determine whether candidates were unlawfully prevented from submitting nominations.
The Supreme Court’s directions have put the spotlight on the SEC’s responsibility to ensure that every eligible candidate gets a fair opportunity to contest local body elections.
YSRCP Alleges Attacks on Candidates Across Andhra Pradesh
YSRCP has accused ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supporters and coalition workers of using intimidation and violence to prevent opposition candidates from entering the electoral contest.
The party alleged that nomination papers were snatched or torn, candidates were threatened, and election offices were surrounded by groups attempting to obstruct the nomination process. It also accused the police of failing to prevent several incidents.
In Pulivendula, YSRCP alleged that candidates were prevented from filing nominations in several wards and that police resorted to firing in the air.
In Punganur, the party reported an attack on the convoy of YSRCP MP P. V. Midhun Reddy while he was accompanying candidates to submit their nomination papers. The party subsequently announced a boycott of the municipal contest, citing security concerns.
In Tadipatri, YSRCP alleged that candidates and their families were threatened and that nomination-related activities were disrupted. Similar allegations were reported from Nagari, Darsi, Kanigiri, Rayachoti, Kadapa, Tirupati, Rajampet, Badvel and Proddatur.
YS Jagan Seeks Governor’s Intervention
YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy met Governor S. Abdul Nazeer to raise concerns about the alleged obstruction of opposition candidates.
Jagan reportedly sought the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces and stronger security arrangements to protect candidates during the election process.
He also called for live CCTV surveillance at nomination centres, polling stations, strong rooms and counting centres to improve transparency and prevent electoral malpractice.
The party argued that candidates must be able to exercise their democratic right to contest elections without threats or physical obstruction.
YSRCP Approaches SEC for Free and Fair Elections
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also met State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha in Vijayawada and raised concerns about the alleged attacks and obstruction of candidates.
YSRCP sought police protection for candidates travelling to nomination centres, including security arrangements involving senior police officers. It also requested Central force deployment and comprehensive CCTV coverage of election-related locations.
The party warned that allowing candidates to be forced out of the contest would undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The Supreme Court’s latest directions require the SEC to examine the complaints and take an appropriate decision in accordance with the law.
High Court Had Earlier Rejected Extension Plea
Before approaching the Supreme Court, YSRCP general secretary Lella Appireddy had moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking additional time for filing nominations and the establishment of special nomination centres at district collectorates.
The High Court rejected the request, with the appeal also dismissed by a Division Bench. The court’s decision was challenged by YSRCP before the Supreme Court.
The party argued that candidates who were allegedly prevented from filing nominations because of violence should not lose their opportunity to contest due to circumstances beyond their control.
Supreme Court Emphasises Free and Fair Elections
The Supreme Court’s intervention has placed responsibility on the SEC and the state police to address the allegations and protect candidates.
The court emphasised the importance of providing a fair opportunity to file nominations and ensuring that the election process is conducted freely and transparently.
The SEC must now examine the available complaints and evidence, decide whether additional time is warranted in the affected areas, and implement the security directions.
The next steps in the process will depend on the commission’s decision and the compliance reports to be submitted before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s intervention has brought fresh scrutiny to the Andhra Pradesh municipal election process. With complaints from 19 urban local bodies under review, the SEC’s decision on extending the nomination deadline and ensuring candidate security will be crucial to addressing concerns over free and fair elections.
