New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by the Andhra Pradesh government challenging the State Election Commission's (SEC) order to hold Panchayat polls in the state.
Andhra Pradesh government had challenged the order of the state SEC on the ground of vaccination drive clashed with the polls in the state. A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul dismissed the petition filed by the Andhra Pradesh government on the issue.
State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar on Monday stated that the panchayat polls would be held on February 9, 13,17 and 21. Kumar clarified that the elections were rescheduled due to the state government's disagreement.
However, the state government has been raising objections regarding local body elections including gram panchayat polls. The government has said that the officials would be engaged in the vaccination programme and the conduct of elections would not be possible.
| Phase of polling | Acceptance of nominations | Date of polling |
| First phase | January 29 | February 9 |
| Second phase | February 2 | February 13 |
| Third phase | February 6 | February 17 |
| Fourth phase | February 10 | February 21 |
(With inputs from ANI)
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