The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday urged State Election Commissioner V. Nagi Reddy to ensure that the forthcoming elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the State are held in a free and fair manner by ensuring that the government sticks to the schedule presented to the High Court through an affidavit.
The party has expressed its disappointment about the government over its sudden shift in stance of wanting to hold elections in five months and then all of a sudden “putting pressure” on the SEC to conduct them this month itself.
It reminded that the government had earlier stated that it would take up to 119 days to complete the voters’ enumeration, verification, delimitation of wards, reservations and so on for the 141 ULBs, including the 68 newly formed ones.
But giving just 14 days for the entire exercise is “undemocratic”, said TS unit vice-president S. Malla Reddy and State executive member Anthony Reddy in a memorandum submitted to the SEC.
Intervention sought
They sought Mr. Nagi Reddy’s intervention to extend the 14-day time limit set for wards delimitation and determining reservations for SC/ST/BCs and women, besides providing sufficient time for voters’ enumeration, and considering the objections and suggestions coming from the citizens.
The party also demanded the newly formed ULBs have proper personnel to take care of the elections and district-wise meetings to be held with political parties.