Supreme Court Declines Inquiry Into Andhra Nomination Claims; Election Petitions Open

On Tuesday, 27 October 2026, the Supreme Court of India declined to order an inquiry into a complaint by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) that its candidates were blocked from filing nominations in Andhra Pradesh’s urban local body elections. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant disposed of the plea and said candidates who believe they were wrongly excluded can file election petitions.

The polls cover 100 urban local bodies, which the State Election Commission had earlier scheduled for 28 October. As of 27 October, the timetable announced on 22 October gives polling on 1 November, re-polling if needed on 2 November, and counting on 3 November.

What the Bench Said and Ordered

LiveLaw reports that Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked, “Now contest the elections,” after noting that the nomination period had ended. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, on the same bench, described the alleged obstruction as a disputed question of fact that the court cannot examine at this stage. ETV Bharat reports that the bench will not order a “fishing or roving inquiry” into the allegations.

The reports differ on what the order will contain. LiveLaw says the court will pass a detailed order to ensure smooth elections and that earlier CCTV directions continue for all elections. ETV Bharat says the bench will issue guidelines and suggested preserving CCTV footage so that grievances can be examined later. Bar and Bench reports that the court raised the idea of broad guidelines but declined to order a roving inquiry.

The Nomination Claims and the State’s Response

According to LiveLaw, the YSRCP’s counsel, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, argued that many candidates were prevented from filing and noted that 532 of 722 candidates are unopposed. The petition, filed by the party’s general secretary, Lella Appireddy, named incidents of violence in Punganur, Rayachoti, Kadapa and Tirupati. It also alleged that nine Tirupati Municipal Corporation candidates were kept from the Returning Officers’ offices.

ETV Bharat reports that Singh cited about 1,200 candidates allegedly prevented from filing, out of about 1,600 in the second phase of elections under the same notification, including Zilla Parishad elections.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State Election Commission, told the court that the filing period was extended wherever difficulties were found, LiveLaw reports. Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, for the state government, said all requisite steps had been taken and security provided where requested. Asianet News reports fresh nominations on 23 and 24 October in designated wards of Kadapa, Tirupati, Rajampet and Mydukur, while AP7AM reports that candidates could file on 22 and 23 October. LiveLaw reports that the commission extended deadlines in some local bodies without naming them. According to the petition, the commission did not extend the deadline after the alleged incidents on 16 October; the Solicitor General said extensions were given wherever difficulties were found.

How the Schedule Was Reset Before the Hearing

Polling was originally set for 28 October, according to AP7AM. Asianet News reports that a vacation bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the commission to decide extension requests by 22 October and to defer the final candidate list to 25 October. The bench also ordered that candidates receive at least 48 hours after a decision is published, and that the Director General of Police ensure police protection and CCTV at nomination centres.

The commission then moved polling to 1 November, with counting on 3 November and re-polling, if needed, on 2 November, AP7AM reports. Asianet News gives the same timetable, with the final list of contesting candidates due on 25 October. Neither report gives a polling date for any individual body beyond that timetable.

The court has left disputed claims of blocked nominations for election petitions rather than a roving inquiry.

What Remains Open

The reports differ on what follows the hearing. LiveLaw says the court will pass a detailed order. ETV Bharat says the matter is next listed after three weeks, without an exact date. Bar and Bench does not give a next hearing date.

Candidates who say they were wrongly excluded can raise the issue through an election petition, as the bench said. The latest timetable reported, from 22 October, gives polling for 1 November, and the parties differ on whether the commission extended deadlines wherever candidates were prevented from filing.