The nomination filing process for Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in Andhra Pradesh got off to a violent start on Friday, 16 October, as workers of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) clashed in Annamayya district, injuring security personnel and party workers on both sides. The violence broke out even as Returning Officers in 100 Urban Local Bodies issued formal election notices, setting the process in motion for polls scheduled on 28 October.

How the Violence Unfolded

The flashpoint was Punganur in Annamayya district, where the convoy of YSRCP Lok Sabha floor leader P.V. Mithun Reddy was allegedly attacked by TDP workers while he was accompanying his party's candidates for nomination filing. The MP's security guards sustained injuries in the attack, and workers of both parties were hurt in the subsequent clashes.

In a separate incident in the same district, several vehicles parked near a YSRCP office in Rayachoti were allegedly set ablaze, with YSRCP attributing responsibility to TDP workers. Both parties traded blame for triggering the violence. YSRCP alleged that the attack on Mithun Reddy amounted to a murder attempt — a charge TDP has not formally responded to, according to reports.

Election Schedule and Coverage

Of 123 Urban Local Bodies across the state, the Election Commission of India issued notifications on 14 October for elections to 100 ULBs — comprising 13 Municipal Corporations and 87 Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats. The remaining 23 ULBs, including 4 Municipal Corporations and 19 Municipalities/Nagar Panchayats, were excluded as pre-election groundwork is still ongoing.

Nominations will be accepted until 18 October, with scrutiny on 19 October. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is 21 October. Polling is set for 28 October, with a re-poll contingency on 29 October and counting of votes on 30 October.

Broader Electoral Calendar

The Commission has also announced elections to Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) on 3 November. Notifications for these will be issued on 19 October, with nominations accepted until 23 October, scrutiny on 24 October, and the withdrawal deadline on 27 October. Results for these elections are expected on 5 November.

Gram Panchayat elections are to follow in three phases on 26 November, 29 November, and 2 December, with vote counting conducted immediately after the conclusion of each phase.

Commission's Response

The State Election Commission has activated a dedicated control room at its office to receive grievances and complaints related to the election process. The outbreak of violence on the very first day of nomination filing raises concerns about law enforcement preparedness ahead of polling day. This comes amid a broader pattern of electoral friction between TDP and YSRCP that has marked political contests in Andhra Pradesh in recent cycles.

With counting day set for 30 October, the administration faces pressure to ensure the remaining phases of the process proceed without incident.