Kurnool and Nandyal record 70.16% turnout in local body elections

Kurnool: The MPTC and ZPTC elections across undivided Kurnool district concluded on Thursday, recording an overall turnout of 70.16 percent despite sporadic political clashes, booth-level disruptions, and police lathi-charges across several sensitive locations.

Out of 19,37,707 eligible electors across Kurnool and Nandyal districts, a total of 13,59,531 citizens cast their votes. Polling was conducted across 2,670 stations from 7 AM to 5 PM under tight security supervision.

In Kurnool district, polling reached 68.23 percent, with Kallur mandal recording the highest turnout at 81.79 percent and Kosigi the lowest at 54.44 percent.

Elections were held for 26 ZPTC and 358 MPTC seats. Nandyal district registered a higher voter turnout of 73.67 percent, where Bandi Atmakur mandal topped the turnout charts at 80.03 percent.

The election process was marred by violence in Chippagiri mandal’s Gummanur village, where rival political factions clashed with sticks and stones over polling agent appointments, leaving around 30 people injured.

Police forces intervened to restore order. Additional clashes and police lathi-charges were reported at Hosur village in Pathikonda mandal and Muchumarri village. At Dinne Devarapadu, police arrested an intoxicated man for assaulting a female constable following a dispute near the polling booth.

Despite these isolated incidents, webcasting, videography, and deployment of 255 micro-observers ensured that voting continued across remaining booths without complete breakdown.

District authorities confirmed that election officials and police units maintained firm control, with official counting of ballot papers scheduled to commence at 8 AM on November 7.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Narendra Kr Varikuntla

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