Panchayat Polls In February In AP: Nimmagadda

The face-off between the State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar and YCP government seems to be easing in Andhra Pradesh. The Election Commission declared that panchayat elections in Andhra Pradesh would be held in February. A decision to this effect was taken by the State Election after consulting all the political parties.

Speaking on the occasion, Nimmagadda said that there were no legal hassles for the panchayat elections. He also said that panchayat elections would be held without any affiliation to political parties.

He said that the Corona effect had reduced in the state as the number of fresh cases has dropped to 753 from 10,000 a day. He hailed the state government for taking necessary steps to check the spread of the virus. In neighbouring Telangana too, GHMC polls are being held and in a democracy, it is necessary that elections be held as per the Constitution, he said.

He said that the election model code of conduct was not in force now and that it would come into force four weeks before the elections.

He asked the government, political parties and officials to gear up for the conduct of elections. Elections are not just a constitutional need but also necessary to secure Finance Commission funds too. He said that the Election Commission was in constant touch with the health department in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The SEC said that they would ensure that polls would be conducted in a free and fair manner.