Guntur: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy advocated for a transparent and non-partisan procedure for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Sunday, asserting that the convention of governing parties unilaterally selecting the election chief must cease.

He stated that the selection panel ought to comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India.

Addressing a press conference, Reddy remarked, "There must be changes in the system. The practice of ruling parties selecting the Chief Election Commissioner must come to an end. In the past, we supported the existing system, but we have now withdrawn our support.”

“The Chief Election Commissioner should be selected through a transparent and impartial process involving the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India. The appointment process must follow a proper system. Only then can democratic institutions function effectively and maintain public confidence,” he added.

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Reddy also alleged that YSRCP candidates were being actively obstructed from submitting their nomination papers, demanding the deployment of central paramilitary forces and comprehensive CCTV monitoring throughout the electoral process.

Following a meeting with State Election Commissioner (SEC) Anil Chandra Punetha in Vijayawada, Jagan stated that he informed the election official of local conditions in the state, alleging systemic interference with nomination filings.

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Speaking to journalists outside the SEC Office, Reddy explained that he outlined the irregularities to the commissioner and received an assurance that all prospective candidates would be enabled to lodge their nominations.

"We have lodged a complaint showing evidence of how YSRCP candidates were not allowed to file nominations and will also meet the Governor later in the day,” he said.

“There cannot be free and fair polls in this dispensation”, he added.

ANI