EC Orders Action Against YSRCP MLA For EVM Damage In Andhra Pradesh

The Election Commission has taken a firm stance against electoral misconduct in Andhra Pradesh, mandating the state's police chief to initiate severe criminal proceedings against a YSRCP MLA implicated in vandalizing an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during the elections on May 13.

This directive follows incidents where EVMs were tampered with in seven polling stations within the Macherla assembly constituency, notably including an instance where local MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy was caught on camera damaging an EVM at polling station number 202.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena's office released a statement late Tuesday, highlighting the seriousness of the offenses and the Election Commission's demand for stringent action. The statement detailed the events at Macherla Assembly Constituency, where the deliberate damage to EVMs by the sitting MLA and others was recorded, underscoring the breach of electoral integrity.

In response to these violations, CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena has been instructed to communicate with DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, ensuring that all individuals involved are subjected to strict criminal charges. The Palnadu district election officials have already provided video evidence of these incidents to facilitate the police investigation, which has now formally listed MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy as an accused.

The Election Commission's call for rigorous action aims to set a precedent, deterring any future attempts to disrupt the electoral process. This decision comes in the wake of election-related disturbances across several districts in Andhra Pradesh, including Palnadu, Tirupati, and Anantapur, as the state conducted its Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously on May 13.

This incident not only reflects on the challenges faced in maintaining electoral integrity but also on the measures being taken to ensure that elections are conducted smoothly and without interference. The Election Commission's proactive approach in dealing with such incidents is indicative of its commitment to uphold democracy and the rule of law during the electoral process.