Central Election Commission, State Election Commission are autonomous bodies established under the Indian Constitution for preserving the democratic system. This is one of the basic pillars of the thriving country’s democracy. No one irrespective of being in power, be it rulers or officials can defy the system. Some opposed the decisions but they did not indulge in a fight. There are many instances like these in the Telugu States.
Until 1981 the undivided AP had Samithi system. After NTR came into power, the Gram Panchayat system was brought. The Central Election Commission conducted Gram Panchayat elections in 1989. Before 1994, the responsibility of conducting the Panchayat elections was with the CEC. After the amendments made in the Panchayat Raj, 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment, the local bodies were given power and accountability increased and this helped in setting up of State Election Commissions in all the states in 1994. Since then, the elections were carried out every five years except in the case of rule by special officers.
Coming to the present circumstances, there is a conflict going on between AP Election Commission and government. Both have differed on the decisions of each other but there were no conflicts. There were differences even during the time of YS Rajasekhara Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu but they had to follow the directions of EC.
During the regime of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, there was a by-election held in Visakha Assembly in 2006, when Praveen Prakash. The TDP lodged complaints against the collector but the DM wasn’t transferred. Though the Commission sent a list of officials to be transferred, the government cannot as only in exceptional cases the transfer is ordered. The Central Election Commission had to interfere since there were some omissions. The CEC ordered the Chief Secretary to transfer Praveen Prakash. However, YS first opposed it but later he had to accept the orders. In 2008 in Vikarabad Assembly by-elections, Praveen Prakash who was Rangareddy Collector was transferred. Though the DM had chances to appeal in court, with the Congress government at the Centre, he did not indulge in a fight.
During Chandrababu Naidu’s regime, there were differences between the government and the EC. Firstly with CEC over deletion of voters, however with the Election Commission having supreme authority in this regard, the government chief secretary was transferred.
The EC had transferred eight officials including Intelligence chief AB Venkateshwar Rao. The TDP government refused to transfer him stating that his works were not part of the election duties. But the CEC furious had summoned him to Delhi and sought an explanation. With this, the TDP changed its decision. The EC transferred CS Anil Chandra Punetha and appointed LV Subramanyam as CS.
On the issue of voters list, EC removed State Electoral Officer Sisodia and appointed Gopal Krishna Dwivedi. His functioning surprised all as he effected transfers of CS, Collector, SP and even the Intelligence Chief. He behaved as if once notification is issued EC is supreme. He cancelled GO to give compensation to farmers. For being a strict officer, he was awarded Rs 1 lakh cash prize for best CEO.
