Rigging exposed, repolling a mere eyewash: YSRCP

Vijayawada, Nov 2: YSRCP leaders slammed the State Election Commission (SEC) for ignoring widespread rigging, bogus voting and violence during municipal elections despite receiving video evidence and complaints. MLC Lella Appireddy, former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu and YSRCP Legal Cell State President M. Manohar Reddy addressed the media after submitting a representation to the State Election Commissioner in Vijayawada.

Appireddy said democracy was undermined from nominations through polling and counting. In Pulivendula, YSRCP agents were expelled from 70 of 80 polling booths, forcing former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to protest outside the Returning Officer’s office. Despite evidence of irregularities in Kadapa, Kurnool, Jammalamadugu, Tirupati, Macherla and Chilakaluripet, the SEC failed to act. He warned of legal action against the Commission for neglecting its constitutional responsibilities.

Sudhakar Babu condemned the SEC’s partisan approach, stating that eligible candidates were prevented from contesting, polling agents forcibly removed and opposition workers attacked. Even complaints supported by pen drives containing video evidence were ignored, while the SEC relied solely on collectors’ reports.

Manohar Reddy questioned how Jammalamadugu recorded 60% polling by 11 AM. He demanded the release of CCTV footage to expose booth capturing, intimidation and rigging, including interference by ruling-party leaders during repolling.

The leaders demanded CCTV surveillance and webcasting at every polling booth during the November 5 ZPTC and MPTC elections, in accordance with Supreme Court directions, along with immediate action against violations.

MLC Ruhulla, Nalamaaru Chandrasekhar Reddy, Ankamreddy Narayana Reddy, Yohan Raju and Narendra Singh also attended the meeting with the SEC.