Andhra Pradesh recorded 31 election-related incidents across 13 districts on Thursday, 22 October 2026, as candidates filed nominations for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections. The incidents ranged from violent clashes and attacks on candidates to the deliberate destruction of nomination papers, prompting a sharp warning from the state's top police officer.

Scale and Nature of Violence

Of the 31 reported incidents, 22 involved violence, clashes, or public-order disturbances, while nine were separately reported cases of nomination papers being snatched or torn. Across all incidents, 16 instances of nomination papers being destroyed — snatched, torn, or otherwise rendered invalid — were recorded.

Six incidents involved stone-pelting or attacks with stones and sticks. Four vehicles — two cars and two motorcycles — were set ablaze. Two residential houses were attacked or damaged, including one that was reportedly demolished using an earthmover. One incident of firing in the air was also reported.

A police vehicle escorting candidates was damaged in a stone-pelting incident, and one police constable sustained a grievous head injury. Two persons, including a contesting candidate, were reported critically injured. Several others sustained injuries in three separate clashes, while three incidents involved road blockades, sit-ins, or traffic obstructions.

Districts Most Affected

Anantapur recorded the highest number of incidents at eight. Annamayya, Kadapa, Prakasam, and Tirupati each reported three incidents. Chittoor, Sri Sathya Sai, and Palnadu reported two each, while Nellore, Kurnool, Markapuram, Nandyal, and Eluru reported one each.

Those targeted included candidates belonging to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), and at least one independent candidate — indicating that no single party was either exclusively targeted or exclusively responsible.

What the DGP Said

Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta called the destruction of nomination papers a 'direct attack on a citizen's right to contest an election' and warned that all those involved in violence and intimidation would face criminal action regardless of political affiliation.

'The law makes no distinction between political parties. Every offender, whether associated with the ruling party, the Opposition or any other group, will face the law with equal firmness. No one can claim immunity from criminal action by invoking a party's name,' the DGP's office said in a statement.

He added: 'An election is a democratic process, not a license for lawlessness. Police restraint exercised to prevent escalation must never be mistaken for weakness. The warning is clear: unlawful conduct must stop immediately.'

Police Action and Cases Registered

Police used cane charge on three occasions and fired two tear-gas shells to disperse a mob that attacked a police vehicle. Sixteen cases, including counter-cases, have been registered so far, while cases relating to 11 further incidents are being processed. At least 54 people have been named as accused, and four were apprehended at the scene.

CCTV footage, videos, and photographs are being examined to identify more accused. Police have been directed to register pending cases, arrest offenders, and strengthen security at sensitive nomination centres.

What Comes Next

The DGP directed that political affiliation, position, or influence will not shield anyone who resorts to violence, obstructs nominations, attacks police personnel, or defies lawful orders. Citizens can report threats or obstruction immediately by dialling 100 or 112, or by contacting the nearest police station. With nominations ongoing, the severity of Thursday's incidents raises concerns about the security environment for polling day itself.