The TDP took an early lead in the Andhra Pradesh civic polls on Tuesday. The High Court cleared the Pulivendula vote count despite earlier violence on November 1. Meanwhile, counting in Parvathipuram got delayed for two hours after officials lost strong room keys, forcing them to break the locks open.
Y.S. Prameelamma, aunt of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRCP candidate for the municipal chairperson’s post, was leading against her NDA rival T. Geetha Kumari in Pulivendula in the early trends during the counting of votes on Tuesday.
The contest in Pulivendula has drawn considerable attention following the incidents of violence and alleged electoral irregularities reported during polling on November 1. The counting process at the Pulivendula municipality began after a slight delay.
The YSRCP had approached the High Court seeking a repoll, citing the incidents reported on polling day. However, the court reportedly directed the authorities to proceed with the counting, paving the way for the commencement of the process.
- Harish Gilai
The TDP is leading in the counting across Chittoor, Annamayya and Sri Sathya Sai districts, after winning several seats unanimously. In Punganur, 32 of the 36 wards were decided unanimously; the TDP won 27 of them and the Jana Sena Party and the BJP two each and one independent in support of NDA. In Rayachoti, all 44 wards and the chairperson’s post were decided unanimously. Nagari’s chairperson was also elected unanimously.
Both Punganur and Rayachoti saw violence during the nominations. In Punganur, TDP and YSRCP workers clashed on October 16, the first day of filing, and Rajampet MP P.V. Midhun Reddy’s convoy came under attack. The same day in Rayachoti, the YSRCP office was partly set on fire and three vehicles were torched; the YSRCP blamed TDP workers.- The Hindu Bureau
Counting in Parvathipuram was delayed by about two hours after the keys to the strong room went missing. The locks were broken open at around 10 a.m. with the consent of all political parties. The SEC has suspended two polling officers for misplacing the keys. Security has been tightened at the Government Junior College, where counting is now underway.
- K. Srinivasa Rao
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg conducted a review meeting on the counting arrangements with officials.
During the meeting, the Commissioner explained in detail the procedures to be followed during counting, relevant election regulations, the responsibilities of officers and staff, and the precautionary measures to be taken at every stage. Mr. Garg told personnel engaged in counting duties to discharge their responsibilities with composure, patience and alertness.
He advised officials and staff to visit their respective zonal counting centres and familiarise themselves with the duties assigned.