The Supreme Court has ordered the Andhra Pradesh state election commission to delay the release of the final candidate list for urban local body elections until October 25. According to The Hindu BusinessLine, a two-judge panel headed by Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued these directions on Wednesday, sitting during the Dussehra break. The ruling responded to a petition by the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, which claimed that nearly two-thirds of its candidates faced physical obstruction while submitting nomination papers.
The court instructed the state election commission to review party representations and evidence to determine if specific areas need extended nomination deadlines. The Hindu BusinessLine reported that the commission must decide by October 22, ensuring any extension lasts at least 48 hours from the amended notification. The bench emphasized that submitting nomination papers is an essential part of fair elections, allowing candidates to use district headquarters if local centers were disrupted.
YSRCP argued that its workers were assaulted and stopped from reaching Returning Officer offices despite police presence. The party cited specific incidents on October 16, including clashes at Punganur and Rayachoti, and torn papers in Kadapa. In contrast, the state election commission, represented by senior advocate K Parameshwar, denied that the process was flawed, stating that remedial measures like CCTV coverage and police security were already active. The State’s counsel, Siddharth Luthra, countered that YSRCP’s claim of selective police action was overstated.
The Hindu reported that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also weighed in, seeking a fresh nomination chance where irregularities were reported. The party released a manifesto demanding greater financial autonomy for local bodies, warning against undermining democratic processes. Meanwhile, TDP National President Chandrababu Naidu observed that the opposition’s reaction to the verdict reflected a litigant mindset, urging his party’s members to focus on winning the alliance candidates.
The Supreme Court ordered the Director General of Police to preserve camera footage and submit a compliance report by the next hearing on October 27. Justice Bagchi noted that the court would avoid turning legal proceedings into a campaign tool, preferring that the state election commission use its supervisory power to distinguish valid claims from others.