The Election Commission (EC) has launched an investigation into allegations of electronic voting machine (EVM) vandalism involving Andhra Pradesh MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy from the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The incident, captured on video, reportedly occurred on May 13 and involved Reddy allegedly vandalizing EVMs in polling station number 202 and seven other stations within the Macharla Assembly Constituency.
The EC has taken the allegations seriously and has provided the video footage to the state police to assist in the investigation. Andhra Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that the MLA has been named as an accused in the ongoing investigation. The EC has instructed the Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena to coordinate with the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure strict action against all those involved.
Opposition leader Nara Lokesh, the National General Secretary of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), accused the YSRCP MLA of vandalizing the EVMs out of fear of losing the election. Lokesh shared a video of the incident on social media and criticized Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's party for engaging in factional politics. He called for the EC to take stringent action against Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy.
The incident occurred during the single-phase election held on May 13 to elect both MPs and MLAs in Andhra Pradesh, which saw widespread violence following the polls.
