Supreme Court finds prima facie case in YSRCP plea for more time to file nominations in Andhra civic polls

The Supreme Court in New Delhi. The court has directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to decide on extending the deadline for filing nominations in urban local body polls. | File photo | Photo Credit: S. Subramanium The Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) held that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) had made out a prima facie case in its plea for an extension of time to file nominations for the urban local body elections in Andhra Pradesh. The party had alleged that its candidates were met with violence and blocked from filing nominations.The court directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to postpone the publication of the final list of candidates till October 25.The SEC was directed to consider the representations of the party and its candidates, including evidence and material as well as electronic evidence, and to take a decision on extending the last date for filing nominations in urban local bodies wherever it is of the view that candidates were unable to file. The decision is to be taken by Thursday (October 22).Wherever the SEC chooses to extend the time, the extension shall not be less than 48 hours from the publication of the decision, which is to be done by amending the election notification.The Director General of Police (DGP) was directed to take all necessary steps to provide security, maintain CCTV footage and file a compliance report in the Supreme Court.The SEC was also directed to take the necessary decisions and issue orders to remove apprehensions from the minds of the petitioner and all concerned, and to file a compliance report. Nominations are also to be permitted at district headquarters.The petitionThe YSRCP, led by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had alleged that mass violence in the State prevented its candidates from filing nominations for the urban local body elections. It sought police protection for candidates, an extension of the deadline for filing nominations and the designation of additional and alternative nomination centres to enable candidates to submit their papers safely.The plea, filed by party general secretary Lella Appireddy through advocate Mahfooz Ahsan Nazki, said several of its candidates were allegedly assaulted and physically prevented from reaching nomination centres during the nomination period, which began on October 16 and ended on October 18.The High Court had dismissed the party’s application seeking an extension, holding that the deadline had expired and that extending it would amount to interference with the election process. Published - October 21, 2026 12:55 pm IST