The local elections in Andhra Pradesh is still a hot topic and of course no side is backing off from their resilience that leaves everyone in the state of bother. AP government argues that Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar who postponed the elections when the COVID cases in the state are less than 100 and now is adamant in conducting polls where 2,000 cases are being reported daily. There are several internal factors to justify this issue but that is not the topic here.
The matter that is currently under discussion across the state is the Supreme Court has recently issued key directions regarding the local body elections. The country’s highest court has directed the state election commission to approve development projects undertaken by the government in Andhra Pradesh. The Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition seeking revision of directions given by the state election commission in the local election affair in AP, has issued key directions.
The apex court, however, rejected the government’s contention that development programs do not require state election commission approval as the election code has not yet been implemented in the state as no decision has yet been taken on the conduct of the new elections. The apex court agreed with the counsel that the state election commission should approve the activities undertaken by the government as the postponement of the elections didn’t mean the actual cancellation of the polls entirely.
The Supreme Court further questioned the government as to whether the EC had ever stopped development work in AP so far that it could seek EC approval. The Supreme Court directed the AP government to apply for the approval of the State Election Commission for specific development works. The government has been advised to file an application if the SEC refuses permission for those works. The Supreme Court adjourned the case for 4 weeks.