Local body elections put off in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: Elections to rural and urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh were on Sunday put off indefinitely by the State Election Commission because of the spread of coronavirus.

Elections to gram panchayats have been kept in abeyance for six weeks, State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar said.

"Taking due consideration of emerging challenges posted by coronavirus spread, the SEC is of the firm view that continuing with the election schedule may be detrimental and harmful to the public health at large," he told a press conference here.

Elections to Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies are originally scheduled for March 21.

The commission decided to exercise its plenary powers under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution to put on hold the election process for six weeks or till the threat of Covid-19 is arrested or declined and normalcy restored, Ramesh Kumar told a press conference.

Nomination process for this has already been completed. Elections to municipalities, Nagar panchayats and municipal corporations were slated for March 23.