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YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) candidate for the Allagadda Assembly constituency Shobha Nagi Reddy, who died in a road accident last week, could still be elected a Member of Legislative Assembly, if she gets the highest number of votes.
In a letter to the YSR Congress, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said the name of the deceased was already included on the list of contesting candidates and would be included in the ballot papers as well. So, if she manages to bag the largest share of votes, she would be declared elected.
The ECI has also clarified that election to the Allagadda Assembly in Andhra Pradesh, from where Shobha Reddy had sought re-election, cannot be countermanded as YSRCP is not a recognised party.
The declaration of results will be governed by the provisions of Rule 64 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, according to which the candidate bagging the largest number of votes would be declared elected.
"In such an event, the deceased candidate, if he/she receives the highest number of votes, will be declared elected. A by-election will then require to be held as per the provisions of sections 150 and 151 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” the ECI clarified.
Allagadda is one of the 175 Assembly seats in Seemandhra going to polls on May 7.
Shobha had been elected from the Allagadda constituency four times.
