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Judgment
Heard Sri Rama Lakshmana Reddy Sanepalli, learned counsel for the petitioner; learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondent Nos.1,3, 4 and 6; and Sri N. Ashwani Kumar, learned Standing Counsel for the State Election Commission appearing for respondent No.2.
Challenging the inaction of respondent Nos.3 to 6 in considering the representation dated 03.11.2026 submitted by the petitioner and to provide adequate police protection to the persons named in the list annexed thereto, belonging to the villages of Dammalapadu, Chagantivaripalem, Paludevarlapadu, Kunduruvaripalem, Madala, Gollapadu, Lankelakurapadu, Rudravaram, Thondapi and Erukupalem in Muppalla Mandal, Palnadu District, by treating the said polling stations as sensitive, deploying adequate police forces with videography of the polling process and arranging regular mobile patrolling in the said villages, on the polling day i.e., 05.11.2026 and till the completion of counting on 07.11.2026 and declaration of results in the election to the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency of Muppalla Mandal, the instant Writ Petition has been filed.
When the matter has been taken up for hearing, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondents, has placed before the Court a copy of the instructions received in the case. The same are taken on record. A perusal of the same reflects that conduct of elections is under the supervision, direction and control of the State Election Commission, and the police authorities are committed to maintaining peace and public order and ensuring the smooth and peaceful conduct of the electoral process. The representation dated 03.11.2026 submitted by the petitioner seeking blanket relief, without specific supporting material establishing such necessity, would not merit consideration by the authorities.
The learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondent No.2 submits that the State Election Commission has also issued a Circular dated 01.11.2026, instructing all the officers concerned to ensure strict compliance of the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court to ensure that the poll process is conducted in a free, fair and impartial manner, without giving scope for any complaints.
Having regard to the contentions advanced and having regard to the Circular dated 31.10.2026 and 01.11.2026 issued by the State Election Commission, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the Writ Petition, directing the respondents to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, and fair manner. It is also incumbent to ensure that law enforcement and maintenance of public order shall remain in tandem by taking all necessary precautionary and preventive measures, in accordance with law, and the directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in SLP (C) No.37476 of 2026, dated 27.10.2026.
The petitioner's request for police protection for a group of 72 people is incomprehensible and unjustified. Such a request cannot be entertained or granted without compelling reasons and a demonstrable threat warranting police protection. Having regard to the contention of the petitioner and having regard to the facts of the case, the respondents No.2 and 4 are directed to provide one armed gunman as security to the writ petitioner alone on the Polling date scheduled for conducting of elections to the ZPTCs/MPTCs, i.e., 05.11.2026 and the day scheduled for counting of the Ballots in respect of the subject ZPTC/MPTC, in which the petitioner is contesting as a Member.
With the above observations, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall also stand closed.