Hyderabad: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) to consider extending the nomination deadline in urban local bodies where candidates were allegedly prevented from filing nomination papers due to violence, intimidation and law-and-order problems. A special bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the SEC to examine representations submitted by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and its candidates, along with supporting documentary and electronic evidence, and take a decision by October 22.

Wherever an extension is granted, candidates must be allowed an additional 48 hours from the publication of the decision to file nominations. The court also postponed publication of the final list of contesting candidates from October 21 to October 25. The bench directed the DGP to ensure adequate security for candidates, sufficient police deployment and CCTV surveillance at nomination centres. It also stressed the need for suitable arrangements at district headquarters to enable candidates to file nominations without fear or obstruction. During the hearing, the court questioned whether the absence of police complaints could establish that the situation was normal, observing that candidates might hesitate to approach authorities if violence prevailed.