N. Chandrasekhar Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Joint Action Committee (JAC) Chairman and AP Non Gazetted Officers’ Association (APNGOA) President threatened to boycott the A.P., Grama Panchayat elections.
On the 23rd of January, Mr. Reddy along with government employees said if required,they would boycott the elections.
The announcement came hours after the State Election Commissioner (SEC) Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar released the official notification of the panchayat elections.
The panchayat elections are scheduled to be held in four phases, starting from the 5th of February.
SEC Ramesh Kumar issued election notification even after the State Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das requested him not to do so.
Another major reason for the election boycott threat is fear of election duties. Chandrasekhar Reddy also questioned the election conduct amid COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Mr. Reddy said, “How is it possible to hold elections when frontline workers are involved in vaccination.”
The staff of A.P., SEC fear duties and are concerned for their health during the pandemic illness, the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 and ongoing vaccination drive.
The Novel Coronavirus vaccination drive is underway in Andhra Pradesh.
The nationwide drive started on the 16th of January and is in the first phase, in which all front line workers including sanitation staff would be vaccinated.
