Unfit to Serve: Failing State Election Commissioner Must Go
Anil Chandra Punetha must resign immediately
Rowdyism, Rigging, and Institutional Bias Threaten Democracy in the State
SEC Held Accountable for Election Abuses and Police Bias
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha has completely failed to conduct free and fair elections, strongly criticized Gujjula Eswaraiah, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Andhra Pradesh State Committee. Taking moral responsibility for the anti-democratic developments during the electoral process, he demanded that Punetha step down from his post immediately. It is a major blow to the democratic system for the Election Commission—which is duty-bound to conduct free elections—to remain a mere spectator, favoring the ruling alliance government and failing to protect citizens’ right to vote and candidates’ electoral rights. The Commission’s negligence is evident from its failure to take effective action despite repeated complaints lodged by the CPI regarding electoral malpractices.
Widespread Polling Malpractices and Suspicious Data Discrepancies
In regions where the CPI contested—including Kadapa, Annamayya, Chittoor, Tirupati, Prakasam, Markapuram, Palnadu, Kakinada, Kurnool, Anantapur, and Nandyal districts—numerous complaints were made about police bias, the obstruction of election agents, denying booth agents entry inside, and irregularities during vote counting and result declarations. It is appalling that the Election Commission failed to respond to any of these.
A discrepancy of 6 to 7 percent between the polling percentage announced at 10 PM and the figures released at 10 AM the next morning raises serious suspicions. How did votes increase additionally after polling ended and after ballot boxes were secured? On what basis did these statistics change? The Election Commission must answer this. Developments such as withholding declaration forms from winning candidates and influencing the election results process through police intervention question the very credibility of the elections.
Where Is Democracy When the SEC and Police Remain Silent?
This is not just an issue limited to areas where the CPI contested. Reports of anti-democratic activities continuing across all 28 districts of the state—such as rowdyism, goondaraj, silent rigging, booth capturing, threats against leaders and candidates, and the distribution of crores of rupees—are deeply alarming. The allegations that the Election Commission and certain police officials are acting in favor of the ruling alliance cannot be taken lightly. If those in power dictate elections while the Election Commission watches silently, where is the protection for democracy? If the police themselves resort to bias, who should the victims approach? When the Commission, which is supposed to take action on complaints, remains inactive, how will justice be delivered to the people?
SEC Has Lost Moral Eligibility to Continue in Office
Positions are not permanent; constitutional responsibilities are the most sacred. A person who assumed a constitutional post a decade after retirement should not forget the duty to protect that office’s independence and impartial ethics. Anil Chandra Punetha must decide: is his loyalty to the ruling party, or his commitment to the Constitution?
Anil Chandra Punetha no longer has the moral eligibility to continue as Election Commissioner. The CPI State Committee demands that he take moral responsibility for undermining the credibility of the electoral system and resign immediately. A comprehensive inquiry into the election irregularities must be conducted, and strict action should be taken against the responsible officials and police personnel. Constitutional institutions tasked with protecting democracy and the right to vote must not become subsidiary bodies of the ruling party. A citizen’s right to vote is not the property of the ruling party. Democracy does not depend on the mercy of those in power!
Principal Correspondent, Prime Post
CS Kulasekhar Reddy had thirty five years experience in journalism. He worked in Udayam and Andhra Bhoomi as reporter and sub-editor. He highlighted various social issues in Chitthoor, Ananthpur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. He covered assembly sessions and Secretariat happenings.
Email: sangatiksr@gmail.com
Mobile: 9000400679
I was suspecting the same. I was shocked to hear that YSRCP lost in Elections inspite of doing better job. I was confused. I think it is proving true. This shows definitely some fraud has been taken place. It should be enquired thoroughly and facts should be brought out.