Janasena

The Congress has reportedly urged the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to postpone the upcoming local body elections in view of the approaching Cyclone Arnab, raising concerns over voter safety, election arrangements and the challenges facing people in cyclone-prone areas.

The local body election process in Andhra Pradesh has entered a crucial phase, with uncertainty surrounding the November 3 polling date for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections. The issue has drawn attention as the counting of votes for urban local body elections is also scheduled for November 3, raising questions about whether the rural local body polling schedule will remain unchanged.

The Election Commission of India issued a clarification on 6 October 2026 after a delegation of opposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi sought to meet the Commission and submit a memorandum. The ECI explained its appointment procedure, the proposed meeting venue and the alternative arrangement it offered for receiving the document. The episode highlights wider questions about electoral transparency, institutional communication and political accountability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders criticised Congress after it failed to win any of the seats it contested in the latest Legislative Council elections across four states. The results, delivered through ballot-paper voting, renewed the political dispute over EVMs, alleged electoral irregularities and the opposition’s demand for changes to the voting system.