The Election Commission of India on Thursday brushed aside the allegations of the YSR Congress party leaders that Andhra Pradesh chief electoral officer M K Meena had violated the rules by relaxing certain norms in the counting of postal ballots.
Even as the YSRCP filed a lunch motion petition in the state high court, the ECI issued clarification that there was nothing wrong in Meena’s circular that the postal ballots can be considered valid, even if there is no name, designation or seal along with signature of officers authorised by Returning Officers on the ballot papers.
The ECI directed that the returning officers declare such postal ballots as valid even if they don’t have the seal and designation of the gazetted officer signing of the ballot papers.
“As such, the circular issued by the CEO is correct,” ECI principal secretary Avinash Kumar said.
However, the YSRCP filed a petition in the high court questioning the latest circular issued by the CEO.
“New rules have been issued against the ECI guidelines on counting of postal ballot votes. This could lead to clashes during the counting,” YSRCP leader Lella Appireddy who filed a lunch motion petition said.
Meanwhile, the TDP leaders, too, filed a petition impleading in the case filed by the YSRCP. They pointed out that the ECI itself had given a clarification endorsing the CEO circular. The high court will hear the arguments on Friday.