Andhra Pradesh Prepares for Local Body By-Elections Amidst Allegations of Vote Manipulation

The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has assured the High Court that comprehensive steps are underway to facilitate free, fair, and peaceful local body by-elections slated for August 10, 2025. The assurance followed a petition from YSR Congress Party General Secretary Lella Appi Reddy, calling for stringent election safeguards including CCTV monitoring and police protection.

On a related note, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for allegedly orchestrating the election outcomes. At a press briefing, he accused the ECI of 'choreographing' elections, particularly in the Mahadevapura constituency where he highlighted discrepancies such as duplicate and bulk voters.

Further pressing his claims of electoral fraud, Rahul Gandhi stated that the 'vote theft' represents a betrayal of democracy, with pledges that justice will prevail. Concurrently, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar reiterated that the ECI bears the constitutional responsibility to conduct credible elections, voicing hope for integrity in the electoral process.

(With inputs from agencies.)