The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has temporarily halted the election process in all 100 urban local bodies across the state following directions from the Supreme Court. The decision affects 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats.
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha issued the order late on Wednesday evening, October 21. The commission will decide its next course of action on Thursday, October 22, after receiving reports from district collectors, election authorities and senior police officials.
The move comes amid allegations that some candidates were prevented from filing their nominations due to violence, threats and intimidation. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) approached the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the nomination deadline in affected areas.
The Supreme Court directed the State Election Commission to examine the complaints, supporting documents and video evidence before deciding whether additional time should be allowed for nominations. It also ordered the commission to postpone publication of the final list of candidates until October 25.
If the commission decides to extend the nomination deadline in any affected area, candidates must be given at least 48 additional hours from the announcement of that decision.
The urban local body elections were originally scheduled for October 28, with counting planned for October 30. However, the latest order has put the process on hold across all 100 urban local bodies pending further directions.
The immediate priority is to ensure that eligible candidates get a fair opportunity to contest and that the election process is conducted peacefully and transparently. The next order from the State Election Commission is expected to clarify the way forward.
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