In a significant development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has canceled the notification for the MLC by-election in the Vizianagaram local bodies following Andhra Pradesh High Court orders.
The upheaval follows the disqualification of YCP MLC Indukuri Raghuraju, which was initially upheld by the chairman of the Legislative council. Raghuraj subsequently challenged this disqualification in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court ruled in favor of Raghuraj, declaring that his disqualification was invalid and that he could continue serving as an MLC. In light of this ruling, the CEC has issued orders nullifying the previous election notification, effectively stalling any potential by-elections.
The recent developments represent a considerable setback for the YSRCP party, which was preparing to navigate the electoral landscape amid ongoing political tensions in the state.
Indukuri Raghuraj, who had previously won the Vizianagaram local bodies MLC seat from YSRCP, joined the TDP ahead of the recent Assembly elections. Following a complaint from his own party leaders, Council Chairman Koyye Moshen Raju disqualified MLC Indukuri Raghuraj. With this, the Election Commission notified that the Vizianagaram MLC seat had become vacant.
In this context, Raghuraj approached the AP High Court challenging the decision taken by the Council Chairman to disqualify him. The High Court, which heard this petition, recently ruled that the disqualification of Raghuraj was invalid.
However, the Election Commission had already released the schedule for the by-election to the Vizianagaram local bodies MLC seat. According to this schedule, by-elections are also scheduled to be held on November 28.
Nominations were already accepted for this by-election from November 4. This deadline ended on November 11. The nominations were scrutinized on November 12. Voting for the local body MLC elections was to be held on November 28 from 8 am to 4 pm.
The Election Commission is ready to count the votes on December 1. In the context of the nomination process reaching a crucial stage, the ECI was forced to withdraw its notification following the AP High Court verdict, which made it clear that this disqualification was invalid.
