Alleged MCC violations mark polling in erstwhile Adilabad district

Polling across 10 municipalities and one corporation in the erstwhile Adilabad district was largely peaceful but marked by alleged Model Code of Conduct violations. Officials reported an average turnout of 62.07 per cent up to 3 pm.

Adilabad: Incidents of alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct marked polling to 10 municipalities and one corporation across the erstwhile Adilabad district, which otherwise passed off almost peacefully on Wednesday.

Labour Minister Dr G Vivek drew sharp criticism for allegedly campaigning on poll day for Chennur municipality in violation of the MCC. Vivek, along with party nominees, was seen canvassing in support of Congress candidates at polling stations 4 and 5 in NP Wada in Chennur town at 12.15 pm, in full public view.

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In a related incident, women protested against Peddinti Srinivas, accusing him of distributing cash to electors at a government school in Chennur. The women alleged that Srinivas was attempting to induce voters by offering cash and influence the outcome of the polls. They urged officials to take action against him for flouting the MCC.

Similarly, two persons were booked for allegedly distributing cash to electors at different polling stations in Adilabad town in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Adilabad I Town Inspector B Sunil said a case was registered against Katipelli Raja Reddy from Vidyanagar and Mekala Krishna Kumar of Bhuktapur.

Voting progressed at a slow pace in all the civic bodies till 11 am but gained momentum by afternoon. The municipalities and the corporation recorded an average polling of 62.07 per cent up to 3 pm. Asifabad led with 72.64 per cent voting, while Bhainsa recorded the lowest turnout at 51.8 per cent. Officials claimed that polling comparatively surged this time, attributing it to the distribution of voter slips and awareness programmes conducted ahead of the elections.

According to officials, the fate of 1,583 candidates contesting from 328 wards in 10 municipalities and one municipal corporation was sealed in ballot boxes. Of them, 323 nominees were fielded by BRS, 307 by the Congress and 288 by the BJP. As many as 1,017 polling stations were set up, while 5,854 staff were deployed to conduct the polls.