There is now a clarity regarding the case of conducting local elections in Andhra Pradesh. The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by the AP government and employee unions seeking suspension of elections, saying that the Panchayat Elections can be held.
It is learned that the unions and the AP government have approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s order to hold local elections in the state. As previously announced, Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar released the election notification on the 23rd of this month. The unions and leaders were outraged by the announcement made by the SEC. A bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul on Monday (January 25) heard the petitions filed by unions and the AP government in the Supreme Court. While, Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi argued on behalf of the government saying that elections had been postponed in several states, including Goa. However, the advocate requested the Apex Court to give time to the government till the first week of April. On the other hand, employee unions told the court that they cannot perform election duties under the given circumstances due to the ongoing vaccination drive being held against Covid19. They, therefore, demanded that the elections be postponed for a span of three months. But the Election Commission maintained its stand saying that vaccination shouldn’t hinder the conduct of local elections.
The tribunal, which heard everyone’s arguments, said the issue of legal security arises because of a dispute between two powerful forces. The electoral process is part of the SEC duties. Is there no election going on anywhere in the country? The court also lashed out saying that lawlessness cannot be allowed and that election is a part of the political process. The Supreme Court also made it clear that they cannot interfere in the matter of elections. The court dismissed two petitions seeking suspension of local elections while allowing the conduct of gram panchayat polls in the state.