In a move to quash misinformation circulating on social media, the Andhra Pradesh government has firmly denied claims that only candidates with more than two children will be eligible to contest in the upcoming local elections.
The Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government issued a statement on Friday, refuting the rumours that have been spreading across various online platforms. “The information being shared on social media about a requirement of having more than two children to contest in local elections is completely false and misleading,” the government’s statement read.
The rumours had caused significant concern among the public, as the idea of restricting electoral participation based on family size was viewed as undemocratic and a violation of individual rights. However, the state government has clarified that there is no such criterion in place for the upcoming local polls.
“All eligible citizens of Andhra Pradesh, regardless of the number of children they have, will be able to participate in the local elections as candidates,” the statement further emphasized. The government has assured the public that the election process will be conducted in a fair and inclusive manner, upholding the principles of democratic representation.
The decision to address this misinformation directly underscores the importance the state government places on maintaining transparency and preventing the spread of false narratives that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process. By swiftly debunking the “more-than-2 children” claim, the government has sought to reassure the citizens of Andhra Pradesh that their democratic rights will be respected and upheld.
As the local elections in Andhra Pradesh draw near, the government’s proactive response to this rumour serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance against the proliferation of fake news and the critical role of authorities in safeguarding the democratic process.
