Amaravati, Oct 19 Andhra Pradesh SEC Anil Chandra Punetha on Monday directed officials to ensure peaceful and fair conduct of local body elections across the state.
Punetha reviewed election preparedness at a meeting attended by Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad, DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) N Madhusudana Reddy and Inspector General of Police B Rajakumari.
“We have directed officials to take stringent measures to ensure that local body elections are conducted peacefully, freely and impartially across Andhra Pradesh,” Punetha said in a press release.
During the meeting, the DGP said preventive measures had been taken to avert untoward incidents during the upcoming phases of elections, particularly in view of incidents reported in some districts.
He said security arrangements in sensitive areas would be reviewed and additional police forces deployed wherever necessary.
Prasad said clear instructions had been issued to district officials to ensure there was no negligence in maintaining law and order and that they were prepared to handle any situation effectively.
The state election eommissioner stressed the need for adequate security to enable candidates to file their nominations freely and voters to exercise their franchise without fear.
He directed officials to take strict legal action against those violating election rules.
Elections to 100 urban local bodies will be held on October 28, with the results to be declared on October 30.
Elections to Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) are scheduled for November 3, with the results to be announced on November 5.
Gram panchayat elections will be held in three phases on November 26, November 29 and December 2, with the results to be declared on the same day as each phase.
(PTI News)
