The Andhra Pradesh urban local body elections have come under focus following complaints about problems at polling stations. The State Election Commission has reviewed the reports and taken steps to ensure voters can cast their votes freely.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) has ordered re-polling at 13 polling stations across seven urban local bodies in five districts. The decision followed complaints of booth capturing during Sunday’s elections.
Of the 13 polling stations, eight are in YSR Kadapa district and two are in Palnadu district. Anantapur, Tirupati and Prakasam districts have one each.
In Pulivendula, the SEC ordered fresh polling at four booths after finding that the election process there had been affected. Re-polling was also ordered at three booths in Jammalamadugu and one in Kadapa Municipal Corporation.
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha directed officials to make tight security arrangements. Voting began at 7 am on Monday and was scheduled to continue until 5 pm.
The SEC said 23.62% turnout was recorded across the 13 polling stations by 11 am. Sunday’s overall turnout across 92 urban local bodies stood at 60.96%.
