Khammam and Kothagudem officials prepare for local body polls

Khammam and Kothagudem districts are preparing for local body elections amid a pending court case. Thousands of polling stations have been set up, with reserved seats for ST, SC and BC communities. Police will provide three-layered security to ensure smooth polling

Khammam: Though there has not been much excitement about the local body polls among the aspirants in view of the pending court case, the district administrations of Kothagudem and Khammam have been gearing up for the elections.

Khammam district Collector Anudeep Durisetty informed that there are 571 gram panchayats, 5,214 wards, 99 scheduled area gram panchayats, 461 non-scheduled area gram panchayats in 20 mandals in Khammam. As many as 5,214 gram panchayat polling stations have been set up in 737 polling locations across the district. For the implementation of the election model code of conduct, 20 flying squad teams and 16 static surveillance teams would be formed, he said.

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Of the 20 ZPTC seats in the district, four seats each have been reserved for STs and SCs, eight for BCs and four seats are in the unreserved category. Of the 283 MPTC seats, 50 seats have been reserved for STs, 58 for SCs, 103 for BCs and 72 seats are in the unreserved category.

Of the 20 MPP seats, five seats have been allotted to STs, four to SCs, eight to BCs and three seats are in the unreserved category. Of the 571 gram panchayat seats, 171 seats have been reserved for STs, 110 for SCs, 190 for BCs and 100 seats are in the unreserved category. There are 8,02,690 voters, including 3,88,243 men, 4,14,425 women and 22 others in the district, Durisetty said.

Kothagudem district Collector Jitesh V Patil informed that there are 22 ZPTC seats and 233 MPTC seats. For the first phase election, 602 polling stations have been set up for 11 ZPTC and 113 MPTC seats in 11 mandals under Bhadrachalam division. For the second phase polls, 669 polling stations have been set up for 11 ZPTC and 120 MPTC seats in 11 mandals under Kothagudem division.

As many as 4,242 polling stations have been set up for gram panchayat elections. There are 471 gram panchayats and 4,168 wards in the district. In the first phase, polling would be conducted in 159 gram panchayats in eight mandals. In the second phase, polling would take place in 156 gram panchayats in even mandals. In the third phase, polling would be conducted in 156 gram panchayats in seven mandals, the Collector said.

Kothagudem SP B Rohitu Raju informed that police forces have been deployed to provide three-layered security at polling stations to maintain law and order. Check posts would be set up at inter-state borders to prevent illegal distribution of cash and liquor.