WP/29932/2026 of YUVAJANA SRAMIKA RYTHU CONGRESS PARTY(YSRCP) Vs THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH on 15 October 2026

ORDER:

The present Writ Petition came to be filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following relief:- “….issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction in the nature of Mandamus (a) direct Respondent No.2 provide adequate and effective security to all contesting candidates from the date of filing of nominations till completion of the entire election process, including counting and declaration of results, (b) directing Respondent Nos.1 to 3 to arrange uninterrupted CCTV coverage and live webcasting at all nomination centres, scrutiny and Returning Officers’ offices, sensitive and hypersensitive polling stations, strong rooms and counting centres, with reliable power backup, videography of nomination, scrutiny, withdrawal, polling and counting, and secure preservation of all recordings for not less than six months, with copies made available to contesting candidates on request; (c) directing the Respondents to deploy designated officials to continuously monitor these feeds and respond promptly to any intimidation, violence or interference, and to deploy independent observers from outside the district in high- risk areas and mobile monitoring teams, empowered to report violations directly to the Commission; (d) directing Respondent No 3 to deploy sufficient security personnel in a fair and impartial manner across the State, with additional forces in locations identified as vulnerable, to provide police protection and escort to contesting candidates during nomination, campaign, polling and result declaration, and to issue instructions to all Station House Officers to receive and register complaints from candidates, agents and voters and to act impartially….

2. The case of the petitioner is that, on 09.10.2026, the petitioner submitted a representation to the State Election Commissioner and the Election Commission of India, requesting them to provide security to contesting candidates from the date of filing of nominations till completion of the election process and to ensure continuous monitoring at nomination centres, polling stations and counting centres, so as to ensure free and fair

VS,J W.P.No.29932 of 2026 local body elections. As no action was taken on the said representation, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present Writ Petition.

3. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Advocate General appearing for the respondent-State.

4. During the course of arguments, the learned Advocate General furnished a copy of the letter dated 14.10.2026 addressed by the State Election Commission to the Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh, requesting him to issue instructions to the Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police to provide adequate security at the offices of the Returning Officers/Election Officers where candidates file their nominations. The said letter also requests the police authorities to provide security to candidates filing nominations and contesting candidates, wherever such requests are received, after assessing the threat perception of the respective candidates, so as to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. The learned Advocate General submitted that the State Election Commission is taking all necessary precautionary measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.

5. In view of the same, the Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the individual candidates represented by the petitioner to submit appropriate applications to the local police authorities seeking security. Upon receipt of such applications, the police authorities shall assess the threat perception

VS,J W.P.No.29932 of 2026 of the respective candidates and take appropriate action in accordance with law to provide necessary security, so as to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, Interlocutory Applications pending, if any, in this Writ Petition, shall stand closed.

___________________ JUSTICE V.SUJATHA Dated 16.10.2026 KGR/GCD