Published Oct 21, 2026 | 11:06 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 21, 2026 | 11:07 PM
The SEC had notified the elections on 14 October. Nominations were filed from 16 to 18 October, and scrutiny was completed on 19 October.
Synopsis: The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has suspended the urban local body election process after the Supreme Court directed it to examine complaints that candidates were prevented from filing nominations through violence and intimidation. The court asked the Commission to examine the representations, supporting material and electronic evidence submitted by the party and candidates.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday, 21 October, suspended the ongoing election process for urban local bodies in the State, following a Supreme Court directive earlier the same day to examine complaints that candidates were prevented from filing nominations through violence, threats and coercion.
The order, issued by State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, covers 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats. The SEC will decide on the next steps on Thursday after receiving reports from District Collectors, District Election Authorities, Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police.
The Supreme Court, hearing a petition filed by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), directed the SEC to defer publication of the final list of candidates, originally scheduled for 21 October, until 25 October.
The court asked the Commission to examine the representations, supporting material and electronic evidence submitted by the party and candidates.
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It also directed the SEC to decide by 22 October whether to extend the nomination deadline in areas where candidates were unable to file their papers because of law and order problems.
If the Commission grants an extension, candidates must receive at least 48 additional hours from the time the decision is announced, and the election notification must be amended accordingly.
The SEC had notified the elections on 14 October. Nominations were filed from 16 to 18 October, and scrutiny was completed on 19 October.
The nomination process has been marred by violence. YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government of obstructing his party’s candidates, alleging attacks, kidnappings, threats and police complicity.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sarath Chandra B)
