The ZPTC and MPTC elections took place in Andhra Pradesh almost a month ago. However, the results of the elections have still not been announced. While it is widely known that the ruling YSRCP has gotten the most number of seats in all areas, the results not being announced is causing a lot of discomforts.
There are 660 ZPTCs and 9,984 MPTCs in total, in Andhra Pradesh, of which as many as 126 ZPTCs and 2,363 MPTCs belonging to the YSRCP were elected unanimously at the beginning of the election process in March 2020. The High Court had passed an order last month, stating that the counting of votes should not take place on April 10th and that the results should not be declared. This issue was reverted to a single judge bench.
By the time the issue came up for hearing near the single judge bench on April 15th, the State Election commission was unable to file its counter-affidavit, which resulted in the postponement of the case to April 19th. Later on, it was adjourned twice, and the hearings finally took place on May 4th.
Senior advocate C V Mohan Reddy argued on behalf of the SEC and said that the petitioner of the case, Varla Ramaiah, had no locus standi in the case, as he did not contest in the elections. He said that the Supreme Court merely gave a suggestion for implementing the election code of conduct for four weeks before the election and that it was not a mandatory clause. Senior advocate Vedula Venkataramana argued on behalf of Varla Ramaiah, while advocate general Sriram Subrahmanyam argued in favour of the government.
The advocate general requested the HC to allow for the announcing of results as the government has spent 150 Crores on the elections, and further delaying the results would result in a loss for the government.