G.V.RAO Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. G.V.S. Mehar Kumar, learned Counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. S. Sriram, learned Advocate General appearing for respondents No.1 to 3 and Mr. N. Ashwani Kumar, learned Counsel appearing for respondent No.4.

(2.) The present writ petition in the nature of Public Interest Litigation is filed seeking the following relief:

(3.) In exercise of the powers conferred under Article 243-ZA of the Constitution of India, Sections 10-A and 10-B of the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1965 and the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities (Conduct of Election of Members) Rules, 2005 issued thereunder [as amended vide G.O.Ms.No.118, Municipal Administration & Urban Development (G) Department, dated 04.03.2020], the State Election Commissioner had called upon the registered voters of the Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats specified in the Annexure appended thereto, to elect Members of their respective Wards and, also notified the programme for conduct of elections, vide notification No.79/SEC-F2/2020, dated 09.03.2020. The Election Programme as indicated in the said notification reads as under: