Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Supreme Court orders Andhra poll panel to consider extending nomination deadline
The Supreme Court ordered Andhra Pradesh’s poll panel to review complaints that candidates were prevented from filing nominations for urban local body elections.
The YSRCP says violence and obstruction kept some of its candidates from reaching nomination centres during the filing period, which ended on October 18.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had refused the party’s request to extend the deadline.
The Supreme Court told the panel to examine the complaints and decide by Thursday whether to extend the deadline in affected areas.
If it grants an extension, candidates must have at least 48 hours to file nominations after the decision is published.
The panel must delay the final candidates’ list until October 25, while police protection and CCTV coverage are to be provided at nomination centres.
The Supreme Court will hear the matter again on October 27.
The Supreme Court directed Andhra Pradesh’s State Election Commission to decide by Thursday whether to extend nomination deadlines for urban local body polls in areas where candidates were allegedly obstructed.
The court asked the commission to examine complaints of violence and obstruction and defer publication of the final candidates’ list until October 25.
If the commission extends the deadline, candidates must have at least 48 hours from the announcement to file nominations.
The court also ordered police protection and CCTV coverage at nomination centres and sought a compliance report.
The case is scheduled to be heard again on October 27.
- Who
- The Supreme Court and Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission; the YSRCP brought the plea.
- What
- The court ordered the commission to decide whether to extend nomination deadlines and to examine complaints of violence and obstruction.
- When
- The direction was issued on October 21, 2026; the commission must decide by October 22.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, at nomination centres for urban local body polls.
- Why
- The YSRCP alleged that violence and obstruction prevented candidates from filing nominations.
YSRCP
Andhra Pradesh High Court
Deadline extension
YSRCP
The YSRCP sought an extension, alleging violence prevented candidates from filing nominations.
Andhra Pradesh High Court
The High Court refused to extend the period, saying the deadline had expired and an extension would interfere with the election process.
Alleged obstruction
YSRCP
The YSRCP said candidates were assaulted and physically prevented from reaching nomination centres.
Andhra Pradesh High Court
The High Court dismissed the party’s application; the sources do not state its view on the allegations.
The nomination period for the urban local body elections ran.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court refused the YSRCP’s request to extend the nomination period by one day.
The Supreme Court directed the State Election Commission to examine complaints and decide on extending the deadline.
The commission is due to decide whether to extend the deadline.
The commission was asked to defer publication of the final candidates’ list until this date.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter again.
- Decision deadline
- October 22, 2026
- Candidates’ list
- Publication deferred until October 25
- Minimum filing time if extended
- 48 hours after the decision is published
- Next hearing
- October 27, 2026
- Safeguards
- Police protection and CCTV coverage at nomination centres
8 sources
Local body polls in Andhra Pradesh: YSRCP welcomes Supreme Court directions, urges SEC to ensure free and fair elections
సుప్రీం ఆదేశాలు మాకు బూస్ట్ ఇచ్చాయి: పెద్దిరెడ్డి రామచంద్రారెడ్డి
SC directs Andhra Pradesh poll panel to decide on extending nomination deadline by Thursday