Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court issued interim orders on Friday on the SEC directions to the Collectors and District Election Authorities to revive the candidature of affected aspirants for MPTC and ZPTC elections, based on their credible averments of forced withdrawal from the contest under duress.

AP High Court Justice DVSS Somayajulu directed the SEC not to conduct any sort of inquiry into the candidates declared elected unanimously after issuing Form-10 during MPTC and ZPTC elections last March. The election process was stopped midway at the withdrawal of nominations stage due to Covid-19. He directed the SEC not to issue any orders in MPTC and ZPTC seats where the inquiry was conducted stating that Form 10 was not issued, till February 23, and adjourned the case hearing to February 22.

Challenging the SEC order issued on February 18 and its directions to the district collectors to submit reports on forced withdrawals, A Bhaskar Reddy and D Nanjundappa who were declared elected unopposed as Singirgunta and Aridigunta MPTC members in Punganur mandal of Chittoor district, and AT Ratnasekhar, who was declared elected unanimously as Piler MPTC after they were issued Form 10, filed petitions in the High Court.

Justice Somayajulu issuing interim stay order after the arguments said the SEC cannot interfere after the candidate was declared elected. The result could only be contested in the election tribunal; he said and opined that the SEC has no scope to interfere in the name of conducting free and fair polls based on a few complaints. Following the arguments, the Judge questioned how the SEC can conduct an inquiry after the result was declared. He also questioned the haste in issuing orders on February 18 and seeking a report by February 20.

He emphasized the need for an in-depth hearing in the case. When the counsel for the SEC sought adjournment till February 22, so complete details will be submitted to the court, the judge issued the interim stay order and adjourned the hearing. Justice DVSS Somayajulu said the SEC cannot interfere after the candidate was declared elected. The poll result could only be contested in the election tribunal, the HC Judge said.