Supreme Court directs election panel to review nomination complaints ahead of urban polls
A two-judge Supreme Court bench asked the Andhra Pradesh election commission to examine allegations that candidates were blocked from filing nominations for urban local body elections.
The Supreme Court, sitting as a vacation bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, heard a challenge from the YSR Congress Party alleging that candidates faced obstruction when filing nominations for about 100 urban local bodies. The bench found a prima facie case and directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to scrutinize the complaints and any supporting documents, and to determine by Thursday if the nomination deadline should be lengthened.
It further instructed the director general of police to provide adequate security for all contesting candidates and election offices. Emphasizing that filing nominations is a core element of free and fair elections, the court asked the commission to take steps to allay concerns about the electoral process. A compliance affidavit is to be filed by October 27, the next hearing date. The ruling follows the party’s earlier appeal to the Supreme Court against a High Court order that refused a one-day extension of the nomination period.
Why it matters
The decision could affect candidate participation and the fairness of upcoming urban local body elections in Andhra Pradesh.
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