Delhi, 15 May (H.S): The Election Commission of India has taken cognisance of the post-poll violence in Andhra Pradesh and has summoned the state's chief secretary and DGP to personally explain the failure of the administration to contain the incidents. The Commission has reminded the state government that the Model Code of Conduct is still in force and has instructed the officials to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.

The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has been personally monitoring the election space since the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing that there is no place for violence in a democracy. The top officials of Andhra Pradesh will be asked to explain the reasons for the failure to contain post-poll violence and what preemptive measures are being taken to avoid such incidents in the future.

Post-poll violence was reported in some parts of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday during simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls, with both ruling and opposition parties accusing each other for the incidents.

Hindusthan Samachar/ Indrani Sarkar