ECI summons top Andhra officials over post-poll violence
What's the story
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has summoned the chief secretary and director general of police of Andhra Pradesh to "personally explain" the state's failure in preventing multiple incidents of violence following the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls held on Monday. The commission—which had cautioned political parties about potential poll-related clashes when the polling dates were announced in March—also directed state officials to implement measures to prevent further violence.
Monitoring efforts
Chief Election Commissioner monitors situation amid violence
According to reports, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar is "personally monitoring the election space to ensure the peaceful and violence-free conduct of elections." This week, violence erupted across the state as supporters of the ruling YSR Congress Party and the Telugu Desam Party clashed after polling concluded on Monday. Incidents of violence were also reported during the voting process. In Macherla, Palnadu district, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were damaged, and there were reports of petrol bombs being thrown.
Violence reports
Violent incidents reported across Andhra Pradesh post-polls
There were also reports of vehicles belonging to local officials, as well as one owned by the Bapatla MP, being set on fire. One video showed flames spreading across a building as unidentified people threw petrol bombs. As the video continues, more bombs are thrown, causing additional fires to break out. A small mob appears, waving sticks and running off-camera. In another video, police fired shots into the air after a stone-pelting incident involving YSRCP candidate Anil Kumar Yadav.
Attack incident
TDP candidate attacked, party blames YSRCP
Violence was also reported from Tirupati in Chandragiri constituency where a TDP candidate was injured. The opposition party blamed YSRCP for this attack reportedly carried out by an armed group. The injured TDP candidate, Pulivarti Venkata Prasad, was attacked by a mob wielding broken beer bottles and hammers while returning from an EVM storage center at a university. In response to this attack, TDP supporters protested and demanded action against those involved in the attack.
2024 polls
Simultaneous polls held in Andhra
On Monday, simultaneous polling toook place in 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats in Andhra. The state is witnessing a triangular contest involving the ruling YSRCP, the Congress-led Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance and the National Democratic Alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, TDP and Jana Sena Party (JSP).