Revised nomination schedule puts AP civic polls under scrutiny

The YSR Congress Party alleged that its candidates were threatened, assaulted or obstructed during the nomination process, questioning whether the elections were being conducted on a level playing field. The ruling alliance has disputed the opposition’s political narrative. The revised schedule provides another opportunity for candidates in the affected local bodies, but the controversy has placed the election machinery under greater scrutiny. With polling scheduled for November 1 across urban local bodies and counting on November 3, the manner in which the remaining stages are conducted will be closely watched.