Chittoor district steps up security for local body polls

Chittoor: State-appointed general observer and APSPDCL L Sivasankar said that strong security measures will be taken to ensure peaceful local body elections in Chittoor district.

He reviewed election arrangements with District Collector Sumit Kumar, Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi and officials from various departments at the district collectorate on Sunday.

Sivasankar directed officials to identify sensitive and highly sensitive areas in advance and deploy additional police forces where necessary. He stressed the need for video recording and CCTV cameras at nomination centres, polling stations and counting centres.

He also asked officials to train election staff and ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote.

The Collector said polling for 168 wards in municipal corporation and municipalities would be held on October 28, with counting scheduled for October 30. Training for election staff is being conducted in phases. A control room has also been established at the collectorate to receive and address public complaints.

For the rural local body elections, Chittoor district has 370 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) seats and 27 Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) seats across 27 mandals and 622 gram panchayats. The district has 1,236 polling stations, including 524 normal, 366 sensitive and 346 highly sensitive centres.

The Collector said ballot boxes, polling staff, transport and counting facilities were being arranged.

Returning officers and assistant returning officers have been appointed in all 27 mandals. Teams have also been formed to monitor the election code of conduct.

SP Tushar Dudi said around 2,000 police personnel would be deployed for election security. Additional forces, special surveillance, CCTV cameras, drones and temporary checkpoints would be used in sensitive areas. Police are also taking steps to execute pending non-bailable warrants and prevent the illegal movement of cash and liquor.

Officials said coordination between departments and neighbouring state authorities would continue to maintain law and order throughout the election process. ZP CEO Ravi Kumar Naidu, DPO Sudhakar Babu and other officials were present.

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