AP Urban Local Body Polls Largely Peaceful

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said polling for urban local body elections across the state was largely peaceful, with only a few complaints reported from certain areas. Addressing the media at the Election Commission office in Vijayawada after polling concluded, he said the commission would take action strictly on the basis of evidence. The polling process was monitored through webcasting, and Punetha reviewed the situation, complaints and reports of violence with collectors from 12 districts for around 45 minutes. He added that reports from presiding officers, district collectors and Superintendents of Police would be examined before deciding on further action. The SEC also said complaints had been received from political parties and that the commission would maintain a neutral approach.

Punetha said collectors had reported incidents in Palnadu and Anantapur districts, while the police had registered around 275 FIRs in connection with approximately 40 incidents, according to Inspector General Rajakumari. Some arrests had also been made in cases involving criminal offences. In Vijayawada’s Ward 55, polling was delayed by around two-and-a-half hours due to technical and other reasons. To ensure voters were not deprived of their right, polling hours were extended from 5 pm to 7.30 pm following the district collector’s request. Preliminary figures showed a voter turnout of 48.03% by 3 pm, but the final percentage will be announced on Monday after ballot boxes and election materials are received and votes recorded at each polling station are verified.