Amravati| YSR Congress governemnt in Andhra Pradesh has abruptly removed State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar by promulgating an ordinance in which it amended the AP Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 by which the tenure of SEC is curtailed from five years to three years.
In its order, in which it was stated that a retired High Court judge will be eligible for appointment as the State Election Commissioner, which shall be appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the state government. With the new orders, the term of the office has been reduced to three years and the incumbent shall also be entitled for re-appointment to another term of three years.
Opposition parties have launched attack on the YSRC government over the issue and questioned the need for such a backdoor legislation when the state is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The development is seen connected to the order of SEC in which he has postponed urban and local body elections in its order on March 7 in view of COVID-19 pandemic of which CM Jagan complained to the Governor.
State government has already filed a petition in SC challenging the SEC’s decision but the Apex Court has endorsement the delay of polls.
Ramesh Kumar, a 1983-batch IAS officer was appointed by former TDP government who retired as Special Chief Secretary to the Governor.
