Kotia Issue / AP State Election Commission seeks report on alleged poll irregularities in Odisha's Kotia
·24 mins ago·3 min read
Key Points
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has sought an inquiry report from the Parvathipuram Manyam district Collector over allegations that Andhra Pradesh's local body elections have extended into villages in Odisha's Kotia Gram Panchayat, following a fourth appeal by Koraput-based advocate Anup Kumar Patro, with the letter dated November 9 directing that a report be submitted to the Commission by November 12.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 10: The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (APSEC) has sought an inquiry report from the Parvathipuram Manyam district Collector over allegations that Andhra Pradesh's local body elections have extended into villages in Odisha's Kotia Gram Panchayat, following a fourth appeal by Koraput-based advocate Anup Kumar Patro.
In a letter dated November 9, addressed to the Collector and District Election Authority of Parvathipuram Manyam, APSEC asked the district administration to enquire into the allegations and take necessary action. It directed that a report be submitted to the Commission by November 12.
The letter, issued by APSEC Joint Director P Rama Rao, refers to Patro's fourth appeal to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, in which he alleged that Andhra Pradesh had extended its local body election activities into the Kotia Scheduled Area of Koraput district.
The Commission's communication refers to the proposed MPTC/ZPTC elections on November 5 and Gram Panchayat elections scheduled for November 26, 29 and December 2, 2026, in the disputed area.
In a letter dated November 9, addressed to the Collector and District Election Authority of Parvathipuram Manyam, APSEC asked the district administration to enquire into the allegations and take necessary action. It directed that a report be submitted to the Commission by November 12.
The letter, issued by APSEC Joint Director P Rama Rao, refers to Patro's fourth appeal to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, in which he alleged that Andhra Pradesh had extended its local body election activities into the Kotia Scheduled Area of Koraput district.
The Commission's communication refers to the proposed MPTC/ZPTC elections on November 5 and Gram Panchayat elections scheduled for November 26, 29 and December 2, 2026, in the disputed area.
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Patro alleges movement of voters and shifting of polling booths
In his representation, Patro alleged that an attempt was made to establish a checkpoint at Upper Sembi on November 4, involving the movement of around 800-850 voters.
He further alleged that the Narellavalasa polling booth, where 707 voters were registered, was shifted to Sarika, around 7-14 km away. According to his appeal, only 33 voters participated in polling at the relocated booth.
Patro also alleged that voters from Telagagullu Gram Panchayat and Ampabali Gram Panchayat were directed towards polling booths in Mandu and Nandiwalsa.
The advocate raised concerns over the alleged creation of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) and welfare cards, besides claiming that the developments amounted to a violation of the Supreme Court's status quo order in the Kotia dispute.
These allegations form part of Patro's representation and have not been independently established by the Commission's letter.
APSEC forwards representation and supporting material
The November 9 communication states that a copy of Patro's representation, along with eight PDF documents and three video files, was forwarded by the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh to the State Election Commission.
In his representation, Patro alleged that an attempt was made to establish a checkpoint at Upper Sembi on November 4, involving the movement of around 800-850 voters.
He further alleged that the Narellavalasa polling booth, where 707 voters were registered, was shifted to Sarika, around 7-14 km away. According to his appeal, only 33 voters participated in polling at the relocated booth.
Patro also alleged that voters from Telagagullu Gram Panchayat and Ampabali Gram Panchayat were directed towards polling booths in Mandu and Nandiwalsa.
The advocate raised concerns over the alleged creation of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) and welfare cards, besides claiming that the developments amounted to a violation of the Supreme Court's status quo order in the Kotia dispute.
These allegations form part of Patro's representation and have not been independently established by the Commission's letter.
APSEC forwards representation and supporting material
The November 9 communication states that a copy of Patro's representation, along with eight PDF documents and three video files, was forwarded by the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh to the State Election Commission.
APSEC has asked the Parvathipuram Manyam district administration to examine the allegations and take appropriate action before submitting its report within the stipulated deadline.
Also Read: Kotia row escalates again as dual voter IDs trigger fresh Odisha Andhra tussle
Patro has also urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene, invoking Article 355 of the Constitution. His appeal seeks an end to Andhra Pradesh's alleged election-related activities in Kotia, an Apex Inter-State Council meeting and the deployment of a Central fact-finding mission to examine the situation.
The advocate has maintained that the developments threaten Odisha's territorial jurisdiction and the constitutional safeguards applicable to the Scheduled Area.
Also Read: Kotia row escalates again as dual voter IDs trigger fresh Odisha Andhra tussle
Patro has also urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene, invoking Article 355 of the Constitution. His appeal seeks an end to Andhra Pradesh's alleged election-related activities in Kotia, an Apex Inter-State Council meeting and the deployment of a Central fact-finding mission to examine the situation.
The advocate has maintained that the developments threaten Odisha's territorial jurisdiction and the constitutional safeguards applicable to the Scheduled Area.
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