A former MLA from Andhra Pradesh has been arrested for allegedly damaging an Electronic Voting Machine unit during the elections in the state. Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy, then MLA from YSR Congress, was arrested after the Andhra Pradesh High Court turned down his appeal for pre-arrest bail.
While hearing his appeal, the High Court said those entrusted with public office are expected to uphold exemplary standards of conduct.
The Election Commission had considered the incident not just a criminal act "but also an egregious attack on the democratic process," and decided to take exemplary action, the Commission said in a statement.
On May 13, around 12.30 pm, Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy -- who was the sitting MLA from Macherla assembly constituency -- had entered a polling station with his supporters and vandalized an EVM and VVPAT machine. The incident was recorded in the web camera installed by the election authorities. The polling station was considered a critical polling station. Several incidents of violence were reported from the constituency the same day, with his direct and indirect involvement, the police said.
"EVMs are central to ensuring free and fair elections, which are the cornerstone of any democracy. Damaging these machines undermines the integrity of the electoral process, potentially disenfranchising voters and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the election results," the Commission had said.
Deciding to take exemplary action, the Commission had ordered the arrest of the MLA.
A case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the Representation of the Peoples Act 1951.
By that time Mr Reddy was on the run and was located only after he approached the court for bail to prevent arrest.