November 1, a dark day for Democracy: YSRCP

Vijayawada, Nov 1: YSRCP leaders staged a protest outside the State Election Commission office, declaring November 1 a dark day for democracy and demanding repolling wherever municipal polling was disrupted by booth occupation, attacks and rigging.

MLCs Lella Appireddy, Kalpalatha Reddy, Murugudu Hanumantha Rao and Ruhulla, along with senior party leaders, submitted a representation to the State Election Commissioner. They said TDP coalition workers occupied polling stations, expelled YSRCP agents, attacked candidates, workers and women, and obstructed voters, while repeated complaints to the SEC produced no action.

They questioned why CCTV and webcasting were available in only about 6,000-7,000 of 12,724 polling stations despite court directions. Incidents were reported in Pulivendula, Kadapa, Madanapalle, Chittoor, Chimakurthy, Macherla and Chilakaluripet.

The leaders demanded cancellation of polling in affected areas, immediate repolling, protection of voting rights and accountability from the SEC, police and election machinery. They said YSRCP would continue both its political and legal fight against the electoral irregularities.