ULB polls in Andhra Pradesh: SEC orders strict implementation of Supreme Court directions

State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha in a video conference with District Collectors and SPs on Wednesday. SEC Secretary A. Mallikarjuna and IGP B. Raja Kumari are seen. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) Anil Chandra Punetha directed Collectors and Superintendents of Police in the seven districts of Kadapa, Annamayya, Tirupati, Anantapur, Prakasam, Palnadu and Markapuram where the filing of nominations for the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections was thwarted by forceful court orders. October 21.

The SEC said the election process in all city corporations and municipalities will continue as per schedule, except for 19 corporations and municipalities in the above districts due to widespread complaints of intimidation and physical attacks.

The conduct of elections in these ULBs would be subject to a decision taken by the SEC.

In a video conference with Collectors and SPs along with SEC Secretary A. Mallikarjuna, Additional DGP (L&O) N. Madhusudhan Reddy and Inspector General of Police B. Raja Kumari on Wednesday, Mr. Punetha said that steps should be taken to implement the Supreme Court directions immediately.

He said the SEC will take appropriate decisions after receiving the Supreme Court’s order, based on the reports submitted by the District Collectors and SPs. He directed the police officers to take steps to prevent a recurrence of the incidents which had taken place so far during the filing of nominations for the Mandal and Zilla Parishad (MPTC and ZPTC) Territorial Constituencies elections.

The nomination process started on October 21 and is scheduled to end on October 23.

In view of the rule that candidates should submit “No Objection Certificate” and “No Fee Certificate” at the time of filing nominations for MPTC and ZPTC elections, the SEC clarified that officials have been instructed to issue certificates within 24 hours only for election purposes.

So it would not be a limitation. He advised the concerned officials not to impose other conditions contrary to the election rules, which caused difficulties for the eligible candidates when submitting nominations.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 23:09 IST