The Andhra Pradesh poll panel opened a 48-hour nomination window in four urban bodies. The move follows Supreme Court scrutiny of allegations that candidates faced violence and intimidation.Amaravati,Oct 22, 2026 23:42 ISTAndhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha on Thursday extended the nomination process for four urban local bodies by 48 hours on October 23 and 24 in compliance with Supreme Court orders, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The extension applies to Kadapa Municipal Corporation, Rajampet Municipality and Mydukuru Municipality in Kadapa district, and Tirupati Municipal Corporation in Tirupati district.
Nominations can be filed from 11 am to 3 pm on both days.“The State Election Commission, in compliance with the orders dated October 21 of the Supreme Court, hereby orders the extension of the nomination process in four urban local bodies for 48 hours on October 23 and October 24 from 11 am to 3 pm,” Punetha said in a statement cited by PTI.The order followed a Special Leave Petition filed by the YSR Congress Party in the Supreme Court against the Andhra Pradesh High Court's October 18 decision refusing to extend the nomination deadline, which expired that day. The party informed the Supreme Court about alleged violence during the nomination process in Punganur, Rayachoti, Kadapa and Tirupati.
It alleged that YSRCP candidates were attacked, threatened and prevented from reaching nomination centres. The party sought adequate police protection for candidates so they could file their nominations “without fear”.The Supreme Court subsequently directed the commission to postpone the publication of the final list of candidates until October 25.
It also asked Punetha to consider representations submitted by the YSRCP and various candidates. The court directed the commission to examine supporting material, including electronic evidence, and decide whether to extend the nomination deadline in urban local bodies where candidates could not file their papers because of the law-and-order situation.
It also asked the commission to amend the election notification and provide affected candidates with a 48-hour window from the publication of its decision to file nominations.In line with the court's directions, Punetha said the commission had found that in some urban local bodies, candidates willing to contest had been intimidated or attacked, had their nomination papers torn, or had been prevented by other adverse circumstances from filing their papers.“The State Election Commission has also observed that those incidents have occurred in four urban local bodies and decided to provide them an opportunity to file nominations and to take appropriate steps to ensure that they are not deprived of their opportunity to contest the ULB elections,” Punetha said, according to PTI.The commission also issued a revised schedule for all 100 urban local bodies, including the four where the nomination process was extended. The final list of candidates will be published on October 25.
Voting will be held on November 1 from 7 am to 5 pm, while any re-poll will take place on November 2. Votes will be counted on November 3.In summary, the four urban local bodies will accept nominations for an additional 48 hours on October 23 and 24, while the revised election schedule for all 100 bodies will begin with the publication of the final candidate list on October 25.- Ends