SEC defying Supreme Court orders

Vijayawada, Oct 31: YSRCP MLC Lella Appireddy, former MLA Malladi Vishnu and party Legal Cell President Malasani Manohar Reddy strongly criticised the State Election Commission for failing to ensure free and fair local-body elections and disregarding Supreme Court directions on CCTV/videography coverage.

Speaking to the media after submitting another representation to the SEC seeking CCTV coverage and continuous webcasting, Appireddy said the Commission had become a mere post office, receiving complaints without taking action. He questioned why the Supreme Court’s directions had not been communicated effectively to election officials. Referring to 12,724 polling booths, he said officials had acknowledged inadequate CCTV and webcasting arrangements even at 7,000 centres.

Appireddy condemned the SEC’s handling of 17 uncontested chairperson positions and eight urban local bodies where chairpersons and councillors were elected unanimously. He highlighted attacks on YSRCP candidates, intimidation of polling agents and the tearing of agent appointment forms in Macherla and Ongole. He demanded instructions ensuring polling agents could enter booths an hour before polling and action against outsiders mobilised in Kadapa and Macherla for possible booth capturing and rigging.

Warning that the SEC would be held responsible for bogus voting, rigging and violence, Appireddy said YSRCP would pursue legal action against the Commission for failure to implement Supreme Court directions. He urged voters to exercise their democratic rights.

Malladi Vishnu said the Supreme Court had already intervened over nomination-related irregularities, yet the SEC, police and revenue machinery continued to fail in ensuring impartial elections. He condemned intimidation, forced withdrawals and cash distribution by coalition parties in Vijayawada, demanding strict CCTV compliance and action against violations.

Malasani Manohar Reddy said the SEC had abandoned impartiality despite repeated complaints. He questioned the Commission’s inability to arrange CCTV coverage and highlighted information received about TDP leaders directing the installation of dummy cameras.

The leaders demanded immediate corrective measures, effective surveillance, protection of polling agents and strict implementation of judicial directions, warning that documented violations during polling would be pursued through legal proceedings.