YSRCP Alleges Voter Blocking in Andhra Pradesh Local Elections
The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party claims police blocked its candidates from filing local body nominations, while the government reports record filing numbers.
The nomination process for urban local body elections in Andhra Pradesh concluded on October 18 amid reports of clashes and allegations of electoral interference. The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) claims that police and ruling party activists blocked its candidates from filing nominations in several regions, including Punganur, Rayachoti, and Kamalapuram. In Pulivendula, YSRCP leader YS Avinash Reddy stated that 19 nominees were stopped at their doorsteps due to cited law and order problems, prompting the candidates to submit their nominations via mobile phones.
YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met with Governor S Abdul Nazeer to report these practices, alleging that candidates faced attacks and that police opened fire in Pulivendula. Reddy characterized the government's actions as a "stain on democracy" and requested the deployment of Central forces and CCTV coverage to ensure fairness.
Education Minister Nara Lokesh defended the process, announcing that over 22,800 nominations were filed and asserting that democracy in the state is thriving. Meanwhile, the NTR Telugu Desam Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party successfully filed their nominations, with the latter holding a large rally in Anantapur.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has scheduled polling for 100 urban local bodies for October 28, with results expected on October 30. Elections in 23 urban local bodies remain deferred due to legal issues, while rural local body elections are set for November and December.
