Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha has directed officials to ensure that the urban local body elections on November 1 are conducted freely, fairly, peacefully and transparently after complaints and poll-related violence were reported in seven districts.
Punetha issued the direction during a video conference held with State Election Commission secretary Mallikarjuna, municipal administration commissioner Raja Kumari, municipal commissioner Sampath Kumar, district collectors, election observers, police commissioners, deputy inspector generals and superintendents of police. The meeting reviewed arrangements for polling, security, ballot handling and vote counting.
The election commissioner said several complaints had been received during the initial stages of the election process. In some of the seven districts affected by violence, contestants allegedly faced difficulties in filing nomination papers and were denied the opportunity to enter the electoral contest. Punetha also said pressure had been mounted on polling officials in some cases.
He directed the director general of police, district collectors, police commissioners and superintendents of police to take necessary action on all such complaints. Punetha called for impartial polling and said inquiries should begin soon after complaints about electoral malpractice and irregularities were received. “All records related to the election process should be subject to legal scrutiny,” he said, advising those with objections to approach the election tribunal.
The commission also ordered preventive measures to contain violence on polling day. Mallikarjuna asked officials to give special attention to polling stations classified as sensitive, hypersensitive and critical. CCTV cameras are to be installed inside and outside such stations, while voter privacy must be maintained inside voting compartments.
Officials were instructed to prepare a polling-station-specific action plan covering the number of voters, basic amenities, security arrangements and requirements for polling, any re-polling and counting. The handling of ballot boxes from polling stations to reception centres and then to strong rooms must follow the prescribed protocol. The process is to be video recorded and monitored through CCTV surveillance.
The commission also directed authorities to enforce the 48-hour silence period before polling. Campaigning during that period will not be permitted, and restrictions are to be imposed on the sale of liquor. These measures are intended to address potential disruptions and electoral malpractice before voting begins.
Counting will start at 8 am, with postal ballots taken up first, according to the arrangements reviewed by the commission. Officials said counting is expected to be completed before 8 pm, after which the results will be announced.
Raja Kumari called for foolproof security arrangements and the strategic deployment of striking forces, special striking forces and special forces. Police would remain on high alert to prevent proxy voting, impersonation and other electoral malpractices, she said. The next operational milestone is polling on November 1, followed by ballot counting and result announcements under the security and monitoring protocols issued by the commission.
