Voters across 92 urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh demonstrated strong democratic commitment on Sunday, establishing an overall turnout figure of 60.96 percent. The extensive polling exercise covered 13 municipal corporations alongside 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats scattered throughout the state. Official records reveal that out of 96,89,061 registered citizens, exactly 5,906,255 individuals cast their ballots at designated polling booths. While the polling procedure remained largely peaceful in most districts, minor regional disturbances prompted the state police force to register 275 first information reports.
Contestants in the Fray and Ballot Count Date
A massive contingent of 10,262 contenders is vying for various leadership and ward-level positions across the urban civic map. The ultimate political fate of these candidates will be unsealed during the formal vote counting process scheduled for November 3. The election administration had set up 11,378 polling booths to cater to the 99.35 lakh eligible voters eligible to take part in this civic exercise.
At the highest civic tier, 153 aspirants entered the contest for the coveted post of mayor across 13 major municipal corporations. Concurrently, 367 contenders squared off to secure chairperson positions spanning 70 municipalities. When evaluating corporate ward seats, direct elections took place across 804 wards out of the total 922 demarcated seats, witnessing intense campaigning among 3,077 candidates. The remaining 118 ward representatives had already secured their council berths unopposed following the scrutiny and withdrawal stages.
Technical Glitches Extend Polling in Vijayawada Ward 55
The voting schedule in Vijayawada Municipal Corporation ran into an unexpected snag at ward number 55, where proceedings were delayed by nearly two and a half hours owing to technical snags and operational complications. The administration stepped in promptly to protect voting access for local residents who had turned up in considerable numbers.
Following an urgent recommendation forwarded by the district collector, the state election commission formally pushed back the evening closing deadline from the standard 5:00 PM cutoff to 7:30 PM. This extension guaranteed that every citizen standing in line had an unimpeded opportunity to exercise their franchise despite the morning interruption.
Commission Reviews Complaints and Holds 12-District Conference
Late on Sunday evening, top election officials convened a media briefing at the central election commission premises in Vijayawada. Addressing the press, State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha remarked, "Every complaint has been taken seriously." Commission Secretary A Mallikarjun and Inspector General of Police Raja Kumari were also present at the briefing table. Punetha disclosed that formal grievances had been submitted by different political factions alleging procedural lapses during polling hours.
Special administrative attention is being directed toward complaints originating from the districts of Kadapa, Anantapur, and Palnadu, where district collectors and superintendents of police have been directed to submit comprehensive inquiries. During the polling window, high-level authorities closely monitored law and order dynamics. Punetha held an intensive 45-minute teleconference with administrative heads representing 12 districts, including Kurnool, Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasam, Tirupati, Annamayya, Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, Palnadu, Nandyal, Markapuram, and Anantapur. The commissioner indicated that areas stretching from Srikakulam to Guntur witnessed tranquil polling without significant disruptions.
Scrutiny over Pulivendula Claims and Ongoing Investigations
Allegations surrounding the functioning and conduct of polling agents in Pulivendula emerged as a point of contention during the day. The state election chief acknowledged taking note of these representations, confirming that direct discussions were conducted with the local police superintendent to verify the claims prior to initiating statutory measures.
Inspector General Raja Kumari indicated that investigators are carefully sifting through approximately 40 localized incidents reported during the polling hours. Wherever verifiable evidence of criminal obstruction or electoral malpractices surfaced, police officers acted decisively, leading to the registration of 275 formal complaints. The commission reiterated that final determinations will follow thorough reviews of reports from presiding officers, videographic documentation, and physical evidence.
