YS Jagan Complains to SEC Over Nomination Irregularities, Seeks Central Forces for Polls

YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has complained to State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha over alleged irregularities, intimidation and attacks on opposition candidates during the municipal election nomination process. He urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to take immediate steps to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

Jagan met the commissioner at the SEC office in Vijayawada on Sunday and highlighted the difficulties faced by candidates in filing their nomination papers. Speaking after the meeting, he said he had reiterated concerns raised earlier and warned that preventing candidates from submitting nominations would damage the credibility of the election authority. He stressed that the SEC should not become complicit in attempts to obstruct the democratic process.

Jagan urged the commission to ensure that every candidate willing to contest was allowed to file nominations without hindrance. He sought police protection and escort arrangements for candidates travelling to nomination centres, with senior police officials supervising the process to ensure their papers were received. He cautioned that difficulties at the nomination stage raised serious concerns about the safety of candidates and voters during polling.

The YSRCP chief demanded the deployment of central and paramilitary forces to conduct the municipal elections peacefully. He asked the SEC to approach the Centre again and press for adequate forces. Jagan also announced plans to meet the Governor and request intervention to facilitate their deployment.

He said the presence of central forces would help voters exercise their franchise freely, without fear or intimidation.

Jagan called for CCTV cameras inside and outside polling stations, with live footage made accessible to the public to strengthen transparency. He also sought live surveillance of strongrooms where ballot boxes would be stored, citing concerns about their security and demanding that people be able to monitor the arrangements.

He further insisted that counting centres be covered by CCTV cameras and that all procedures during vote counting take place under continuous surveillance. He called for the proper verification of Form 17C details under camera monitoring.

Jagan said his party had repeatedly raised concerns about electoral transparency. He maintained that the SEC must take concrete measures to prevent irregularities, protect candidates and voters, and uphold democratic principles throughout the municipal election process.