HYDERABAD, INDIA – In a shocking incident caught on CCTV, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh was seen vandalizing voting machines during the recent elections. The Election Commission has taken serious note of this act, urging strict action from state authorities.
The Incident
The incident occurred on May 13, the day all 25 of Andhra Pradesh’s Lok Sabha constituencies and all 175 Assembly seats went to the polls. Violence and sporadic incidents were reported across various areas on election day and subsequently. In a particularly disturbing scene, YSRCP leader Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy, the sitting MLA from Macherla, was recorded on CCTV hurling a voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine to the ground at the Palwai Gate polling center.
Details of the Vandalism
In the footage, Reddy, who has served as the MLA for Macherla multiple times, is seen walking into the polling station. An election official stands up to greet him, but Reddy heads directly to the EVM area, picks up the VVPAT, and forcefully throws it on the ground. The machine breaks, and as chaos ensues, one of Reddy’s aides is slapped by a booth worker who then attempts to confront the MLA. Reddy responds by kicking what appears to be the control unit before leaving the scene.
Official Response
The Election Commission has condemned the act. “YSRCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy vandalised electronic voting machines in seven polling centres,” the EC stated, highlighting polling station number 202 among the affected sites in the Macherla Assembly constituency. Video evidence has been handed over to the police, and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, Mukesh Kumar Meena, has been instructed to coordinate with the state police chief for strict action against those involved.
The EC emphasized the gravity of the incident, expressing hope that such actions will not recur in the future. The state police have named Reddy as an accused, further intensifying the scrutiny on his actions.
Political Reactions
The opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has been vocal about the incident. TDP leader Nara Lokesh, son of party chief Chandrababu Naidu, condemned the vandalism on social media. “YSRCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy vandalised the EVM at the Palwai Gate polling centre of Macherla Constituency. I demand that the Election Commission take strict action against Mr. Reddy, who has vandalised EVMs and attacked them because of a fear of defeat,” Lokesh tweeted in Telugu. He stressed that the electorate will deliver a verdict on YSRCP’s factional politics on June 4.
The TDP, allied with Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party and the BJP, has used this incident to underscore their claims of malpractice and intimidation by the ruling party.
Broader Context
Palnadu district, which includes Macherla, has been particularly affected by election-related violence. The destructive behavior of Reddy has added to the tense atmosphere in the region.
In another incident on the same day, a YSRCP MLA allegedly slapped a voter for objecting to the legislator jumping the queue at a polling booth, further tarnishing the party’s image amid the election process.
Conclusion
As investigations proceed, the Election Commission and state authorities are under pressure to ensure accountability and prevent further misconduct. This high-profile case of electoral vandalism highlights the critical need for stringent enforcement of election laws and respect for democratic processes.
Stay updated with the latest developments as authorities continue to address this serious breach of election protocol.
