Bhumana alleges mass rigging in Tirupati civic elections

Tirupati: Former TTD chairman and senior YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy alleged large-scale rigging, violence, and electoral irregularities during the Tirupati Municipal Corporation elections on Sunday.

Addressing media personnel in Tirupati, Bhumana claimed that supporters of mayoral candidate JB Srinivas deliberately created disturbances at multiple polling venues to influence the voting outcome. He specified that widespread rigging took place across Wards 6, 13, 20, 42, 45, 53, 57, 59, and 63.

The senior leader further alleged that web surveillance cameras were removed in Ward 16, LB Nagar, and Amaravati Nagar, destroying electoral transparency and creating an environment conducive to malpractice. He charged that polling officials were subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation while discharging their duties, while candidate agents were forcibly ejected from polling centres to prevent independent monitoring of the voting process. Warning that such high-handed actions were creating widespread panic and threatening law and order in Tirupati, Bhumana demanded immediate intervention by the State Election Commission and district administrative authorities.

He called for strict legal action against perpetrators of poll violence and demanded the cancellation of voting in all affected wards.

Bhumana urged the election authorities to order repolling under comprehensive security coverage and full transparency, while simultaneously demanding enhanced physical protection for election staff, candidates, polling agents, and ordinary voters to ensure a fair democratic process.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vani Mallela

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Vani Mallela is a Staff Reporter at The Hans India and an accomplished journalist and content creator from the erstwhile Chittoor district. With over 16 years of professional experience, she has built a strong reputation for covering crime, politics, and entertainment, delivering stories that are accurate, engaging, and impactful. She holds a postgraduate degree from Sri Venkateswara University and received professional journalism training at Rachana Journalism College, Hyderabad, with a focus on science and mass communication. Her expertise includes field reporting, investigative journalism, fact-checking, and source development, enabling her to produce balanced and credible reports under tight deadlines. Vani is recognised for her sharp news sense, concise writing style, and ability to uncover compelling human-interest stories that reflect the voices and concerns of local communities. Her extensive knowledge of the Tirupati region, coupled with her diverse family background and broad cultural exposure, brings depth, empathy, and context to her reporting. A dedicated journalist committed to ethical and responsible reporting, Vani continually enhances her knowledge by keeping abreast of current affairs through regular newspaper reading and extensive research. Her professionalism, accuracy, and passion for storytelling have made her a respected voice in regional journalism.

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