The State Election Commission in Andhra Pradesh has withheld the ongoing election process for all 100 urban local bodies (ULBs) across the state with immediate effect, ANI reported. The order, issued by State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, covers 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats for which the election notification was issued on October 14, with nominations filed from October 16 to 18 and scrutiny completed on October 19.
Source: ANI via Latestly
The halt follows Supreme Court directions in a petition filed by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which alleged that several of its candidates were prevented from filing nomination papers because of law-and-order problems. According to PTI, Punetha said in an official release: “In view of the directions from the Supreme Court, the State Election Commission hereby orders that the further election process in respect of all 100 urban local bodies in the state shall be stopped forthwith.”
Source: PTI via DainikNews Live
The Supreme Court has directed the Commission to postpone publication of the final list of candidates until October 25, 2026, and to consider the representations of the petitioner party and various candidates — including documentary and electronic evidence — before deciding whether to extend the last date for filing nominations in any ULB where candidates were unable to file because of the law-and-order situation, ANI reported.
Source: ANI via Latestly
Decision on nomination extension due Thursday
The Commission said it will issue its order on October 22 after obtaining reports from district collectors and district election authorities and from commissioners of police and superintendents of police. Wherever it extends the time, the extension will be not less than 48 hours from publication of the decision, with the election notification amended accordingly, The Hindu reported.
Source: The Hindu via Tech Word News
Andhra Pradesh TDP president Palla Srinivasa Rao said the government would abide by the Supreme Court's order, telling ANI the directions leave the decision on extending dates to the State Election Commission and that his party, as part of the government, had nothing to do with any postponement or change of dates. The YSRCP's allegations about obstruction during nominations remain allegations before the court; the Commission's evidence-based decision is awaited.
Source: ANI via Latestly
Who: Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha). What: election process for all 100 ULBs stopped forthwith on Supreme Court directions in the YSRCP petition. Final candidate list: held until October 25. Next step: Commission decides on October 22, after district and police reports, whether nomination time is extended (minimum 48 hours) in any ULB.