Andhra High Court denies to issue stay on SEC decision conduction of local body elections

Andhra Pradesh government has received a major blow in the High Court. The High Court has rejected the government's plea to issue stay on the conduction of local body elections which is said to be held in February. The High Court on Thursday held a hearing in this regard. Advocate Ashwin Kumar argued on behalf of the Election Commission. On the other hand, while hearing the arguments of the public prosecutor, he said that the Election Commission had violated the orders of the Supreme Court to consult the state government on the conduct of the elections.

He alleged that the Election Commission was acting unilaterally without consulting the state government and said that the election could not be held because of coronavirus pandemic. Election Commission Advocate Ashwin Kumar refuted the government advocate's arguments. He told the court that the Election Commission had contacted the state government three times on the matter.

He questioned why the state election commission had not approached the Supreme Court if it had violated the Supreme Court orders. Ashwin Kumar argued that the state government had approached the High Court without moving to the Supreme Court as it would expose the wrongs of government. However, after hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court rejected the AP government's plea. However, the public prosecutor asked for another chance to hear the latest arguments in this regard. The court adjourned the case till tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government is debating when local body elections will take place. It is learnt that the AP State Election Commission has approached the High Court alleging that the AP government is not cooperating with them in the conduct of the elections.