India, Oct. 21 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) to decide within 24 hours on the Opposition Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP)'s plea to extend the time for filing nominations for the local polls.

The YSRCP cited 87 instances where its candidates across 19 out of 100 urban local bodies (ULBs) were either assaulted or forcibly prevented from filing nominations before the closing date of October 18. It claimed that its candidates were attacked with iron rods, sticks and stones, and their papers were snatched and torn in the presence of police. In several ULBs, the plea said, even nominations for the chairperson posts could not be filed.

The polls to ULBs, Zila Parisha...