The Supreme Court has directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission not to publish the final list of candidates for the upcoming urban local body elections until October 26. The court observed that the YSR Congress Party had made out a prima facie case that several of its candidates were prevented from filing nominations. It directed the State Election Commission to review the complaints and decide by tomorrow whether to extend the nomination deadline.

 

A vacation bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana also directed the state Director General of Police to provide adequate security to candidates and election offices. The bench said filing nomination papers is an aspect of free and fair elections and asked the State Election Commission to take necessary steps to address concerns raised by the YSR Congress Party and other candidates.

 

The YSR Congress Party had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s refusal to extend the nomination period, which ended on October 18. The party alleged that violence and assaults prevented several candidates from reaching nomination centres. The Supreme Court has asked the State Election Commission to file a compliance affidavit by October 27, the next date of hearing.