Municipal polls end peacefully

Amaravati: The first phase of municipal elections across Andhra Pradesh concluded on Sunday, with polling held in 92 of the 100 urban local bodies (ULBs). Voting continued from 7 am to 5 pm, and State Election Commission (SEC) Anil Chandra Punetha described the overall polling as peaceful.

However, isolated incidents were reported in Palnadu, Anantapur and Kadapa districts, while the coastal districts remained largely peaceful. The SEC is seeking reports from the respective collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) to assess whether polling was disrupted. Repolling may be considered in specific locations if the reports establish serious irregularities. Anantapur and Palnadu are among the districts where re-polling may be required.

The SEC is also examining complaints relating to the protest staged by former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Pulivendula. It has sought reports on whether polling was obstructed and whether voting took place in the presence of authorised agents, as required under election rules.Voter participation in municipal corporations remained relatively low. Of the 13 corporations that went to polls, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), with 120 wards, recorded the lowest turnout at 39.72 per cent by 3 pm. Vijayawada registered 41.80 per cent, Guntur 40.99 per cent, Nellore 40.91 per cent, Kadapa 41.21 per cent and Tirupati 42.12 per cent.

Eluru recorded 43.84 per cent, Anantapur 43.97 per cent and Kurnool 42.40 per cent. Vizianagaram registered 49.29 per cent, Chittoor 51.20 per cent and Ongole 53.70 per cent. Machilipatnam topped the corporations with 55.10 per cent. No corporation crossed the 55 per cent mark in the figures available by 3 pm.

In contrast, several smaller municipalities recorded turnout of 60 to 65 per cent by 3 pm. The SEC directed polling officials to issue slips and allow all voters who were within polling station premises by 5 pm to cast their votes. It also issued instructions to address ballot-paper errors that had temporarily interrupted polling at some locations.

The final turnout figures are yet to be compiled. Officials said the SEC would announce the definitive statistics after ballot boxes reached receiving centres on Monday and district-wise data was verified. The previous municipal elections recorded a turnout of 63.6 per cent, and the final figures will show whether participation has matched that level.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K Varaprasada Rao

K Varaprasada Rao[email protected]

K Varaprasada Rao is a Senior Reporter with The Hans India, covering the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and political affairs. With over 20 years of experience in journalism in Andhra Pradesh, he has extensively reported on governance, public policy, politics, and socio-economic issues that shape the state's development and influence the country's evolving landscape. He holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His reporting focuses on finance, industries, irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, public administration, and political developments, with a particular interest in analysing their long-term economic and social impact.

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