Today’s Silence, Tomorrow’s Threat – Gujjula Eswaraiah, CPI, AP Secretary
Standing Up for Electoral Rights in Local Body Elections
If the candidate of your choice is prevented from contesting in local body elections by the government you elected, will you remain a silent spectator? If the democratic opportunity to elect a leader of your choice in your village is snatched away, will you tolerate it? If a woman from your household comes forward to contest an election, and she is insulted, assaulted, and her nomination papers are forcibly snatched and torn to pieces, will you bear it? The humiliation faced by a woman candidate today could happen to a woman from your home tomorrow. Contesting elections is a democratic right of every citizen. When that right is trampled upon by authoritarian arrogance, should the public remain silent?
Ruling Alliance Accused of Manipulating Nomination Process
In Andhra Pradesh, anti-democratic developments are unfolding in the context of local body elections. Allegations suggest that the ruling alliance, which ought to earn the trust of the people, is creating circumstances that prevent opposition candidates from contesting. Lacking the courage to face the public mandate, they are accused of using political influence, state power, and police forces to manipulate the election process. Instead of approaching the electorate to seek votes and win, rulers are reportedly engaging in attempts to block rivals from even filing nominations—reflecting political intolerance. In a democracy, the people are the ultimate decision-makers. Rulers must respect their verdict; denying citizens the opportunity to choose their representatives is contrary to the democratic spirit.
Local Democracy Under Strain
This is not merely a dispute between political parties. It is a critical issue concerning citizens’ right to vote and the democratic freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Local bodies—from the village level to urban municipalities—must operate with active public participation. Citizens must have the freedom to elect representatives of their choice without hindrance. However, an atmosphere of obstruction surrounding the filing of nomination papers has taken hold across the state. In a functioning democracy, the existence of an opposition, its candidates contesting elections, and citizens voting for their preferred choice are natural processes. Thwarting these rights through the abuse of power directly undermines the democratic framework. When allegations arise that the very guardians of democracy are manipulating election procedures, the public cannot remain passive. To safeguard voting rights and constitutional guarantees, all democratic forces must stand united.
Allegations of Physical Blockades, Assaults, and Destroyed Nominations
From Tirupati to Kadapa, Rajampet to Mydukur, and across regions including Proddatur, Markapur, Darsi, Podili, Chittoor, Palnadu, and Kakinada, serious allegations of violence, high-handedness, intimidation, and disruption during nomination filings have come to light. Reports indicate incidents where nomination papers were forcibly seized, torn apart, and candidates physically blocked. Disruptions occurred during the filing of mayor nominations in Tirupati; nomination papers were torn in Kadapa; candidates were obstructed from filing nominations in Rajampet and Mydukur; and papers of a woman candidate were ripped up in the Markapur constituency. In Podili, a woman candidate named Donapati Sravani expressed deep anguish, alleging that she was assaulted and her nomination papers were snatched and destroyed. Visuals have also surfaced from Chittoor district showing improper conduct and attempt to seize papers from young women arriving to file nominations. Furthermore, a video circulated on social media in which an MLA from the Venkatagiri region in Tirupati district was reportedly seen encouraging party cadres to break the legs of anyone arriving to file nominations. These incidents, allegations, media reports, viral social media videos, and formal complaints from victims have all come to the public’s attention.
Do women not possess political rights in a democracy?
Why should those in power take such strong objection to women contesting elections? Insulting women and forcibly snatching and tearing their nomination papers directly violates the equal rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Leaders who deliver speeches on women empowerment must answer for actions on the ground that infringe upon women’s political rights. Preventing women from entering politics and denying them the opportunity to contest elections is a direct violation of their human rights.
Law Must Apply Equally to Ruling Party and Opposition
Police officers and election officials must ask themselves: what is your fundamental responsibility in protecting democracy? Is it not the duty of the police to provide protection to candidates arriving to file nominations? Is it not the responsibility of election officials to accept nomination papers according to regulations and ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process? When attacks occur right in front of officials and nomination papers are forcibly torn, how justified is it for the administrative machinery to remain mere onlookers? Why does the speed shown in registering cases against opposition leaders, candidates, and workers disappear when taking action against those violating democratic rights? The constitutional principle that everyone is equal before the law must apply to the ruling party as well.
Targeting Employees’ Families Violates Democratic Rights
The police force does not belong to any single political party. The revenue administration is not a private enterprise of the ruling party. The Election Commission is not a subsidiary department of the government. These are constitutional institutions. They carry a binding duty to perform their responsibilities impartially, free from political pressure. Threatening government employees’ family members for participating in politics, issuing memos, and exerting pressure constitutes a breach of democratic rights. Whether someone is a family member of a government employee or a general citizen, the Constitution grants them the freedom to exercise their political and democratic rights. No authority has the power to strip away those rights. Comprehensive inquiries must be conducted into allegations of political vendettas against employees. Rather than serving as a shield for the ruling party, the police force must stand as a shield for the constitutional rights of the citizens. Protecting the Constitution—not merely retaining power—is the primary duty of government machinery.
Apex Court Steps In to Protect Candidate Rights
Complaints regarding the obstruction of candidates, physical attacks, intimidation, kidnappings, and destruction of nomination papers during local body elections ultimately reached the Supreme Court. On October 21 of this year, the Supreme Court intervened and directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to examine complaints regarding candidates being prevented from filing nominations. The apex court suggested granting an additional opportunity to file nominations to affected candidates where valid evidence exists. Following the Supreme Court’s directions, the SEC allowed the re-filing of nominations across 72 wards in urban local bodies including Kadapa, Tirupati, Rajampet, and Mydukur. In a democratic system, filing nominations to contest elections is a fundamental right of candidates. Why did a situation arise where candidates had to approach the highest court of the land just to exercise that right? Despite the presence of the State Election Commission, police machinery, and district administration, their failure to ensure the freedom and security needed for filing nominations raises serious questions about institutional performance.
From Tirupati to Kurnool
Allegations of Booth Capturing, Violence, and Administrative Collusion
Despite violent incidents and high-handedness occurring from the nomination phase up to scrutiny, the government, police machinery, and the Election Commission failed to respond in a timely manner to take corrective measures. Criticisms have mounted that necessary actions were not taken to ensure free and fair elections, even during the polling period. Allegations have surfaced that TDP cadres engaged in attacks, high-handedness, and rigging against opposition candidates during municipal election polling. Complaints were received regarding such incidents in districts including Tirupati, Kadapa, Anantapur, and Kurnool. Reports of booth capturing and rigging were noted in locations such as Ward 9 in Tirupati, Ward 6 in Kadapa, Ward 11 in Anantapur, as well as in Dhone and Punganur. Criticisms were expressed that even when attacks occurred in the presence of the police, they failed to prevent them. Allegations of collusion have also emerged regarding the stance taken by the coalition government, police machinery, and the Election Commission. Concerns regarding authoritarian tendencies in the administration of the Chandrababu Naidu-led government have voiced themselves even more strongly during these elections.
SEC Must Investigate Rigging, Disqualify Violators, and Punish erred one
The Election Commission must impartially investigate these incidents and complaints, taking lawful action against those found responsible. Where rigging is confirmed, coalition candidates involved should be disqualified, and re-polling must be conducted in the affected areas. Departmental and legal actions must be taken against police personnel and officials who aided rigging or participated in attacks. Immediate protection and justice must be provided to victimized women candidates and other affected individuals. Complaints regarding forced unanimous elections must be investigated, and statutory action must be initiated wherever irregularities are verified. Accountabilities must also be fixed for officials who succumbed to political pressure and neglected their duties. Strict legal action must be taken against those involved in attacks, threats, and improper behavior toward women candidates. Ensuring every candidate the freedom to file nominations and contest elections is the duty of the State Election Commission and the government. Measures obstructing the electoral process must be halted, and candidate rights must be safeguarded.
A Citizen’s Charter for Democracy
The Andhra Pradesh State Committee of the Communist Party of India (CPI) calls upon all citizens to unite for the protection of democracy. This is not just a CPI issue, nor is it limited to any single opposition party. It is a critical concern for every citizen who believes in democracy, every candidate contesting elections, every voter casting a vote, and every family that wishes to live with constitutional rights intact. Therefore, rising above party lines, democratic forces, farmers, workers, students, youth, women’s organizations, employee and teacher associations, lawyers, intellectuals, civil rights groups, and all democrats must come together. From Tirupati to Srikakulam, Chittoor to Ichchapuram, and Rayalaseema to Uttarandhra, democratic awareness discussions must be organized in every village and town to educate the public on the importance of voting rights. Complaints backed by evidence must be lodged against election irregularities, and a legal struggle must be waged to ensure justice for the victims.
CPI Demands Judicial Probe, Re-Polling, and Protection for Candidates
The CPI demands an independent judicial inquiry into incidents of nomination blockages, attacks, threats, kidnappings, and destruction of nomination papers during local body elections. Where rigging is confirmed, coalition candidates must be declared disqualified, and re-polling should be conducted in affected areas. Departmental and legal proceedings must be initiated against perpetrators as well as complicit police officers and officials. Immediate security and justice must be guaranteed for victimized women candidates and other affected individuals. Inquiries must be conducted into complaints regarding forced unanimous elections, with legal proceedings initiated where malpractices are established. Officials who yielded to political pressure and demonstrated negligence in their duties must be held accountable. Strict action under the law must be taken against those found guilty of attacks, threats, or improper conduct toward women candidates. Providing every candidate the opportunity to file nominations and contest freely is the bounden obligation of the State Election Commission and the government. Actions hindering the electoral process must be thwarted, and candidates’ rights fully protected.
The Shield of Democracy
Uniting to Protect Voting Rights and Constitutional Autonomy
Today, if a woman candidate is humiliated, tomorrow a woman from your household may face the same situation. If one candidate is prevented from filing a nomination today, tomorrow your preferred candidate may meet the same fate. If someone’s voting right is suppressed today, your rights will inevitably come under threat tomorrow. Therefore, citizens must wake up immediately, raise their voices, and stand united. Along with safeguarding democracy and the Constitution through peaceful and legal means, we must challenge the conduct of governments that violate people’s rights. Let us rally for the right to vote! Let us unite for the protection of democracy! Let us fight for the autonomy of constitutional institutions! The vote of the people is the spirit of democracy, the Constitution is the shield for rights, and the unity of the people is the ultimate strength of democracy.
The article is written by Gujjula Eswaraiah, Secretary, AP, Communist Party of India on AP Local Body Poll violations by SEC-Police-Polling Officials–State Government.
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