VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has reserved its verdict on a petition filed by the YSR Congress Party (YSRC) challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) recent order on postal ballots, with the decision set to be delivered at 6 pm on Saturday. The ECI’s May 30 order directed election officers to consider postal ballots valid even if the declaration form (Form 13A) only includes the attesting officer’s signature, without the name, designation, or seal. Arguing that this order adheres to its guidelines, the ECI defended its stance before the High Court.
However, YSRC State General Secretary L Appi Reddy’s petition, represented by Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Singhvi and senior advocate P Veera Reddy, contended that the ECI’s directive is against electoral norms and that the poll panel lacks the authority to amend these norms through executive orders. They highlighted the significance of the 5.5 lakh postal ballots cast in Andhra Pradesh, asserting that the ECI’s action is against the rules governing elections.