Andhra Pradesh, Nov 1: Polling is underway for municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats across Andhra Pradesh. Voting will take place from 7 AM to 5 PM, with more than 99.36 lakh voters expected to exercise their franchise.
According to the figures provided, a total of 9,936,014 voters are eligible to cast their ballots across 11,378 polling stations. Election authorities have deployed 36,351 police personnel to maintain law and order during the polling process.
AP Municipal Elections: Voter Count and Polling Stations
The election authorities have made arrangements for voters across municipal corporations and municipalities in the state.
The reported voter and polling station details are as follows:
- Total voters: 99,36,014
- Total polling stations: 11,378
- Voters in 13 municipal corporations: 59,97,918
- Polling stations in municipal corporations: 6,384
- Voters in 79 municipalities: 39,38,096
- Polling stations in municipalities: 4,994
- Police personnel deployed: 36,351
Voting will be held for mayor, chairperson, ward and division positions in the urban local bodies where contests remain.
AP Municipal Elections: Over 5,700 Sensitive Polling Stations Identified
Election authorities have identified 5,737 polling stations as sensitive, highly sensitive or extremely sensitive out of the total 11,378 polling stations.
A total of 12,666 CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside these polling stations to monitor the polling process.
In the 13 municipal corporations, officials have identified:
- 1,788 sensitive polling stations
- 941 highly sensitive polling stations
- 46 extremely sensitive polling stations
In the municipalities, the reported figures are:
- 1,747 sensitive polling stations
- 1,190 highly sensitive polling stations
- 25 extremely sensitive polling stations
Security arrangements will vary according to the sensitivity of each polling station. A 1+2 police deployment will be provided at sensitive polling stations, while highly sensitive polling stations will have a 1+4 deployment. Additional security will be arranged at extremely sensitive polling stations depending on the prevailing situation.
Number of Candidates Contesting AP Municipal Elections
Thousands of candidates are competing for mayoral, chairperson, councillor and ward-level positions in the urban local body elections.
The reported candidate figures are:
- Mayor positions in 13 municipal corporations: 153 candidates
- 804 divisions in municipal corporations: 3,073 candidates
- Chairperson positions in 70 municipalities and nagar panchayats: 367 candidates
- 2,382 ward councillor positions: 6,669 candidates
The source figures indicate substantial competition for municipal leadership and ward-level positions across Andhra Pradesh.
Several Municipal Posts Declared Unopposed
Elections were initially announced for 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats.
According to the reported details, all chairperson and councillor positions in eight municipalities were declared unopposed. Chairperson positions in another nine municipalities and nagar panchayats were also declared unopposed.
Polling will take place for mayor, chairperson, division and ward positions where candidates remain in the contest. In some urban local bodies, voting will be limited to ward-level positions because chairperson posts have already been decided unanimous.
AP Municipal Elections: Polling Personnel Deployed
A large number of election officials and polling personnel have been assigned duties to conduct the elections.
The reported deployment details are:
- Returning Officers (ROs): 1,449
- Assistant Returning Officers: 2,543
- Presiding Officers: 13,504
- Assistant Presiding Officers: 13,504
- Other polling officers: 51,716
- Micro-observers: 3,720
- Webcasting personnel: 1,835
These personnel will support polling operations, election monitoring and the implementation of election procedures at polling stations.
Focus on Security and Smooth Polling
With more than 99 lakh eligible voters and thousands of candidates involved, the Andhra Pradesh municipal elections represent a major electoral exercise across the state’s urban local bodies.
The deployment of police personnel, CCTV cameras and polling staff is intended to support security and orderly voting. The identification of sensitive polling stations has also led to additional security arrangements in areas considered more vulnerable to election-related disturbances.
Voters are scheduled to cast their ballots between 7 AM and 5 PM on Sunday. The polling process will determine the outcome of contests for municipal leadership and ward-level representation in the urban local bodies where elections are being held.
