AP: Supreme Court asks SEC to decide on extending nomination deadline in affected places

Vijayawada, Oct 21 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday intervened in the ongoing municipal election process in Andhra Pradesh following allegations that violence, intimidation and obstruction prevented opposition candidates from filing nominations, and directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to consider extending the nomination deadline wherever candidates were unable to file their papers due to law-and-order problems.

A special bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to examine representations submitted by the opposition YSR Congress Party and its candidates, along with supporting documentary and electronic evidence, including video clips, and take a decision by October 22. The court clarified that wherever the SEC decides to extend the deadline, candidates must be given an additional 48 hours from the publication of the decision to file their nominations.

The relevant election notification should also be amended accordingly. The bench directed the SEC to defer publication of the final list of contesting candidates, originally scheduled for October 21, until October 25. It also directed the Director General of Police to ensure adequate security for candidates, sufficient police deployment and CCTV coverage at nomination centres.

The court further emphasised the need to facilitate the filing of nominations at district headquarters, in accordance with the arrangements to be made by the election authorities, so that eligible candidates can participate in the electoral process without fear or obstruction. Questioning the circumstances surrounding the alleged incidents of violence, the bench reportedly observed that the absence of police complaints could not, by itself, establish that the situation was normal. Italso questioned how candidates could be expected to come forward to file nominations if violence prevailed and law and order was not adequately maintained.

The YSRCP had approached the Supreme Court challenging an Andhra Pradesh High Court order that declined to extend the nomination deadline. The Supreme Court directed the State Election Commission and the State government to file compliance affidavits and scheduled the next hearing for October 27. The directions are aimed at ensuring that candidates who were allegedly prevented from filing nominations due to circumstances beyond their control receive a fair opportunity to contest the urban local body elections scheduled for October 28.

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