Supreme Court directs deferment of final candidate list till October 25; Commission to decide on nomination extensions after examining complaints
Vijayawada, October 21: The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (APSEC) on Wednesday ordered an immediate halt to the further election process in all 100 urban local bodies across the state, following directions issued by the Supreme Court in a petition filed by the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) over alleged obstruction of candidates during the nomination process.
In its order dated October 21, State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha directed that the further election process in 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats be stopped forthwith. The Commission said it would issue a further order on October 22 after receiving reports from Collectors, District Election Authorities and Commissioners of Police or Superintendents of Police.
The Supreme Court, in YSR Congress Party v. State of Andhra Pradesh and Others, SLP (C) No. 37476/2026, directed the Commission to postpone publication of the final list of contesting candidates until October 25. It also instructed the Commission to examine representations submitted by the petitioner party and other candidates, along with supporting documentary and electronic evidence, and decide whether the nomination deadline should be extended in urban local bodies where candidates were unable to file nominations because of law-and-order problems.
Complaints concerned 19 urban local bodies
During the proceedings, the YSRCP alleged that widespread violence and coercion had prevented its candidates from filing nominations. The party told the Supreme Court that more than 63.5 per cent of its candidates had been prevented from submitting nominations in 19 of the state’s 100 urban local bodies.
These were allegations advanced by the petitioner. The Supreme Court expressed a prima facie view that the material placed before it warranted directions to safeguard a free and fair election process.
The Court emphasised that candidates must be able to file nominations without hindrance and that the State Election Commission has a constitutional duty under Article 243ZA to ensure free and fair municipal elections.
Commission directed to decide on extensions by October 22
The Supreme Court directed the Commission to decide by October 22 whether the last date for filing nominations should be extended in affected urban local bodies. Wherever an extension is granted, the additional period must be at least 48 hours from the publication of the decision, with the election notification amended accordingly.
The Court also directed the Commission to arrange additional facilities for filing nominations at district headquarters before the District Collector wherever necessary. It instructed the Director General of Police to ensure adequate police deployment, CCTV coverage at nomination centres and protection for candidates filing their papers. Both the Commission and the police authorities were directed to submit compliance reports.
Statewide halt pending further decision
While the complaints cited before the Supreme Court concerned 19 urban local bodies, APSEC’s order halted the further election process across all 100 urban local bodies.
The Commission’s order did not cancel the elections or announce a fresh schedule. Its next decision, due on October 22, was expected to clarify whether nomination deadlines would be extended in any affected areas and how the election process would proceed.
The Supreme Court listed the matter for further hearing on October 27, 2026.
