3 days ago
Andhra Pradesh High Court Reserves Verdict On Local Body Polls
The Andhra Pradesh High Court heard a disagreement about when local elections should happen.
The YSRC wants the elections held after voter lists are fully revised and finalized.
It says some people might lose their voting rights if an earlier list is used.
The State Election Commission says it can use the voter list available on January 1, 2026.
It also says changes can be made before the election notice is issued.
The state government agrees that elections do not need to wait.
It says checking voter lists is an ongoing process.
The judges have finished hearing the arguments but have not yet announced their decision.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court reserved its verdict on a YSRC petition concerning local body elections.
The petition seeks polls only after completion of the Special Intensive Revision and publication of final electoral rolls.
YSRC argued that using January 1, 2026 as the eligibility date could exclude many citizens from voting.
The State Election Commission said polls would use rolls available on January 1, 2026, with changes allowed before notification.
The state government argued that electoral-roll revision is continuous and should not delay the elections.
- Who
- The YSRC, the State Election Commission, the Andhra Pradesh government, and the Andhra Pradesh High Court are involved.
- What
- The High Court heard a petition seeking to link local body elections to completion of voter-roll revision and reserved its verdict.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh High Court.
- When
- The hearing concluded on Thursday; the proposed voter-roll eligibility date is January 1, 2026.
- Why
- The YSRC says elections held before final electoral rolls are published could deny eligible citizens their right to vote.
YSRC and petitioner’s position
Election authorities and state government’s position
Timing of elections
YSRC and petitioner’s position
Local body elections should be held only after the Special Intensive Revision is completed and final electoral rolls are published.
Election authorities and state government’s position
There is no need to wait; elections can proceed using the available electoral rolls.
Voter eligibility date
YSRC and petitioner’s position
Using January 1, 2026 as the eligibility date could cause many citizens to lose their right to vote.
Election authorities and state government’s position
The State Election Commission says polls will be based on the rolls available on January 1, 2026, while allowing changes before notification.
Electoral-roll revision
YSRC and petitioner’s position
The petitioner cited alleged deceased, fake, and permanently migrated entries in the draft rolls as reasons for completing the revision first.
Election authorities and state government’s position
The state government said electoral-roll revision is a continuous process and referred to an earlier Supreme Court order supporting elections based on the available list.
Key facts
- Court
- Andhra Pradesh High Court
- Case status
- Verdict reserved after completion of hearings
- Petitioner
- YSRC
- Requested condition
- Completion of the Special Intensive Revision and publication of final electoral rolls before local body polls
- Proposed eligibility date
- January 1, 2026
- Figures cited by petitioner
- The draft rolls allegedly included nearly 15.22 lakh deceased voters and 7.37 lakh fake votes
- Election Commission position
- Polls can use the rolls available on January 1, 2026, with changes permitted until election notification
Sources
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