CPI(M) seeks online, physical nomination option, timely local body polls in Andhra Pradesh

Representatives of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday participated in a meeting convened by the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission with recognised political parties and raised key concerns relating to the conduct of local body elections.

CPI(M) State secretariat member Y. Venkateswara Rao and State committee member J. Jayaram, who attended the meeting, urged the State Election Commission to allow candidates the option of filing nominations and withdrawals both online and in physical form for local body elections. They cited difficulties and incidents faced in the past during the nomination process.

The CPI(M) leaders said a dual system would ensure greater transparency, safety and accessibility for candidates, especially in the light of earlier experiences during local elections. They requested the State Election Commission to forward suitable proposals to the Election Commission of India and initiate the necessary legal amendments to facilitate the changes.

Noting that the State Election Commission was in the process of computerising the local body election system, the CPI(M) representatives said this was an appropriate time to introduce reforms enabling online submission of nominations and withdrawals.

They also stressed that as the tenure of local bodies was nearing completion, elections should be conducted strictly as per schedule and should not be postponed on any pretext.

The CPI(M) leaders reiterated that timely elections and transparent procedures were essential to uphold democratic values at the grassroots level.