Andhra Pradesh police have begun detailed security preparations for the forthcoming local body elections, identifying sensitive and hyper-sensitive villages and polling stations across six districts to prevent violence and protect the voting process.
Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta directed officials to complete the arrangements before the election notification is issued, with instructions to ensure peaceful, transparent and impartial polling. A regional preparedness meeting was held at the Guntur police conference hall on Tuesday to review arrangements in Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Madhusudan Reddy, IG Sarva Shrestha Tripathi and Guntur Range Deputy Inspector General Fakirappa attended the meeting. Gupta reviewed the local body profile of the six districts and asked police officials to classify polling stations as normal, sensitive or hyper-sensitive based on previous election-related clashes.
Deputy superintendents of police will personally inspect hyper-sensitive areas and assess local issues that could affect polling. Senior police officers have also been directed to maintain surveillance on identified troublemakers, rowdy-sheeters and suspects, and to initiate preventive action and bind-over proceedings where necessary. The proceedings may include bonds of up to Rs 10 lakh, according to the instructions reviewed at the meeting.
Police will strengthen checkposts to curb the movement of illicit liquor, cash distribution and illegal transportation during the election period. Officials were asked to review cases registered in faction-prone villages during 2021 and 2024 as part of the assessment of areas requiring additional security.
The deployment plan will include route mobiles, mobile parties and striking forces. The police have also been instructed to give special attention to the transportation of ballot boxes, strong rooms and counting centres. Licensed weapons will have to be deposited, while Election Commission guidelines governing rallies and public meetings will be strictly enforced.
The preparations will require coordination between the police, returning officers, revenue officials and municipal authorities. Tripathi directed officers to conduct cordon-and-search operations to detect illegal weapons and identify people who could trigger violence or circulate provocative content on social media.
The cyber wing has been asked to monitor fake news, rumours and inflammatory posts and to issue immediate clarifications against misinformation. Guntur Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal said all measures were being taken to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and build confidence among voters ahead of the local body elections.
