New Delhi
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has summoned the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh to New Delhi on Thursday to address the spike in post-poll violence, according to sources.
The ECI’s directive comes in response to the local administration’s failure to manage the unrest following the elections. The Commission has asked for a thorough explanation of the lapses in maintaining law and order and the preventive measures being implemented to avoid further incidents. The ECI stressed the importance of enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and taking strict actions to ensure peace.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has been closely monitoring the election process to ensure it remains peaceful and free from violence. The ECI reiterated that violence has no place in a democracy, especially during elections.
Post-poll violence was reported in parts of Andhra Pradesh on Monday. On May 13, during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, YSRCP MLA Annabattula Shivakumar was accused of hitting a voter in Guntur district, claiming the voter was drunk and abusive.
YSRCP and TDP workers clashed near a polling station in Palnadu district on Wednesday, prompting police to fire rubber bullets to control the situation. Acting on the EC of India’s directive, district authorities implemented Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, bolstering security across the area. Polling for all 175 seats of the Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly was held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections.
