Counting of votes for Andhra Pradesh's municipal elections began on Tuesday at 138 centres under tight security arrangements. Polling was held in 92 urban local bodies, recording a voter turnout of 62.16 per cent. The NDA coalition is aiming to consolidate its 2024 electoral gains, while the YSRCP seeks a comeback after its Assembly poll setback.
More than 50,000 nominations have been found valid for the Andhra Pradesh MPTC and ZPTC elections scheduled on November 3. Major parties including TDP, Jana Sena, BJP and YSRCP have fielded candidates across local body constituencies.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission is set to decide on extending the nomination filing deadline for Urban Local Body elections in areas where candidates allegedly could not file nominations due to law and order issues, following directions from the Supreme Court.
Polling in the final phase of gram panchayat elections progressed slowly across Asifabad and Adilabad districts on Wednesday, with turnout remaining below 20 per cent till 9 am, as biting cold weather kept voters indoors, officials said.
Ahead of the third phase of Telangana Gram Panchayat elections, the State Election Commission banned the assembly of three or more persons in public places in poll-bound districts till 10 am on December 18 to maintain law and order.
Amid Covid, model code of conduct and restrictions implemented by the State Election Commission (SEC), candidates have embraced the advantages offered by technology to campaign.
Among many guidelines, it is mandatory for every person to wear mask during every election-related activity. At the entry of Polling Station or premises used for election purpose, sanitisers will be made available.
Chief Spokesperson K. Krishna Saagar Rao in a statement here on Tuesday, said that police are harassing party candidate Raghunandan Rao by not allowing him to have a level playing field in the by-election.
