Jagan Reddy Regrets Supporting 2023 Law on Election Commissioner Appointments, Accuses TDP Government of Poll Interference
Vijayawada, October 18, 2026: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed regret over his party’s decision to support the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. He argued that the ruling party should not have a decisive role in selecting officials responsible for overseeing elections, stressing the need for an impartial and independent appointment process.
Reddy made these remarks after meeting Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha. During the interaction, he also accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government of interfering in the upcoming local body elections by allegedly preventing opposition candidates from filing their nomination papers. He called for immediate measures to protect candidates and ensure that the elections are conducted freely and fairly.
Jagan Reddy Calls Previous Support for Appointment Law a Mistake
Reddy acknowledged that the YSRCP had earlier supported the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. However, he said the party now regretted that decision, arguing that the appointment process should not give the ruling party excessive influence over the selection of election officials.
He called for the restoration of the earlier selection arrangement, under which a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India would select the Chief Election Commissioner.
Using an example to explain his position, Reddy said that a student should not be allowed to choose the examiner who evaluates them. He argued that even an honest official could face questions about impartiality if the appointment process was not perceived as neutral.
Reddy also criticised the current selection mechanism, stating that the Prime Minister and a Union minister nominated by him together hold two votes, while the Leader of Opposition has one vote. According to him, this arrangement gives the government side an advantage and raises concerns about the independence of the selection process.
He maintained that including the Chief Justice of India on the selection panel would help strengthen public confidence in the neutrality of election officials. Reddy also called for reforms in the appointment of State Election Commissioners, arguing that the state government should not have undue influence over the selection of the official responsible for supervising local body elections.
Questioning the impartiality of Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, Reddy referred to his previous tenure as Chief Secretary under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and said this raised concerns about the independence of the state election authority.
YSRCP Alleges Opposition Candidates Were Prevented from Filing Nominations
The meeting with the State Election Commissioner took place amid allegations by the YSRCP that its candidates were being obstructed from filing nominations for the upcoming municipal and local body elections.
After meeting Punetha in Vijayawada, Reddy said he had submitted a formal complaint supported by evidence of the alleged obstruction. He also indicated that he intended to approach the Governor to seek intervention in the matter.
Reddy said the State Election Commissioner had assured him that anyone wishing to contest the elections would be given an opportunity to submit their nomination papers. He urged the commission to ensure that all eligible candidates could reach the designated nomination centres and that their papers were accepted in accordance with the rules.
To prevent intimidation and obstruction, the YSRCP chief demanded police escorts for candidates travelling to nomination centres, deployment of central forces and CCTV surveillance throughout the election process.
He alleged that opposition candidates had faced threats, physical attacks and what he described as politically motivated cases. He further claimed that some officials were refusing to accept nomination papers, raising concerns about whether all candidates were being given an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
Reddy warned that the State Election Commission should not become involved in any practice that prevents eligible candidates from contesting elections. He called on the commission to act independently and take steps to ensure that election rules are enforced fairly.
Jagan Accuses TDP-Led Coalition of Misusing Official Machinery
Reddy also accused the TDP-led coalition government of misusing government machinery to benefit ruling-party candidates. He alleged that the police were failing to take appropriate action against ruling-party leaders accused of threatening or attacking YSRCP candidates.
He questioned several aspects of the local election process, including the allocation of reservations, changes to wards and divisions, and the short period reportedly provided for filing nominations. According to Reddy, candidates had been given only three days to complete the nomination process, which he argued created additional difficulties for opposition candidates.
The former Chief Minister further alleged that police were not acting against TDP leaders accused of carrying weapons or attacking YSRCP candidates. He questioned why such incidents were occurring if, as he argued, the ruling coalition enjoyed strong public support.
Reddy also raised questions about the electoral arrangements involving the TDP, Jana Sena Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He alleged that some TDP candidates were contesting under the banners of alliance partners despite the parties contesting together.
He additionally referred to reports of police firing and accused law enforcement authorities of failing to provide adequate protection to opposition candidates during the nomination process.
These claims were made by Reddy and the YSRCP. The allegations of election interference, intimidation and police inaction were not independently established in the source report.
YSRCP Seeks Intervention to Ensure Fair Elections
The YSRCP has called on the State Election Commission to take immediate steps to ensure that every eligible candidate can file nomination papers without fear, pressure or obstruction. The party has also sought the Governor’s intervention over the alleged irregularities.
Alongside its demands concerning the local body elections, the party has renewed its call for changes to the appointment process for election commissioners. Reddy argued that independent institutions and transparent selection procedures are essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral system.
The controversy has brought two important issues into focus: the independence of election authorities and allegations of interference in local elections. While the YSRCP has demanded stronger safeguards for opposition candidates and reforms to the appointment process, the allegations concerning the conduct of the state government and election officials remain claims made by the party.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
