Amaravati, Nov 1 Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha on Sunday said polling for 100 urban local bodies across the state was peaceful in most areas, barring a few incidents reported from certain places.
Addressing a press conference here, Punetha said the State Election Commission has accorded the highest priority to maintain law and order during the polling process.
Complaints and representations received from various political parties were being examined, and district collectors, police officials and election observers had been directed to take necessary action.
Polling for the 100 urban local bodies across Andhra Pradesh was peaceful in most areas, barring a few incidents reported from a few places, said Punetha.
The Commissioner said he had reviewed the polling process and reported incidents with collectors of 12 districts, including Kadapa, Palnadu, Anantapur, Kurnool, Nellore and Tirupati. The collectors informed him that polling was peaceful in most areas, while minor complaints had been received from a few districts.
Polling hours in Ward 55 of Vijayawada were extended by two-and-a-half hours, from 5 pm to 7.30 pm, following a delay in the commencement of voting due to technical and other reasons. The decision was taken to ensure that voters were not deprived of their opportunity to exercise their franchise, he said.
Punetha said incidents reported from Palnadu and Anantapur would be examined after receiving reports from Presiding Officers and reviewing other evidence. If the complaints were found to have merit, action would be taken in accordance with the rules, he added.
Preliminary information indicated a voter turnout of 48.03 percent till 3 pm. The final polling percentage would be announced on Monday after receiving complete details from polling stations and reception centres, he said.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta said polling for 92 urban local bodies, comprising 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and Nagar Panchayats, concluded peacefully across the state, barring a few minor incidents.
According to the top police official, 41 election-related incidents were reported from 20 districts, including Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapur.
District police officials had been instructed to verify each incident, identify those responsible and initiate appropriate legal action.
Extensive police deployment was made in sensitive and highly sensitive areas, while videography, drones, body-worn cameras and other surveillance systems were used to monitor the polling process.
Gupta said elaborate security arrangements had been made for transporting ballot boxes to designated strong rooms under police protection, and that security would continue until the commencement of counting.
The DGP warned that those attempting to disrupt polling or disturb public order would face strict legal action while appreciating police personnel and security forces for their work during the elections.
(PTI News)
