Polling for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections began across Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning. The elections are being closely watched after the TDP-led NDA’s strong performance in the recent municipal polls. The focus has now shifted to rural Andhra Pradesh, where voters will decide the political balance at the grassroots level.
Out of 659 ZPTC and 9,821 MPTC seats in the state, 77 ZPTC and 2,051 MPTC seats were elected unanimously. Polling is being held for the remaining 582 ZPTC and 7,767 MPTC seats. A total of 21,012 candidates are contesting. Authorities have arranged 31,460 polling stations across the state.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with NDA leaders and booth-level workers ahead of polling. He urged alliance cadres to ensure peaceful voting and prevent any decline in voter turnout. He also asked them to help elderly people and persons with disabilities reach polling stations. He stressed that workers should remain calm during clashes and report any irregularities to the police.
Security has been strengthened in sensitive areas. Additional police forces have been deployed in five districts. CCTV cameras and webcasting facilities have been arranged at several polling stations.
Meanwhile, tension was reported at R. Thummalapalli village in Pulivendula mandal following a clash between TDP and YSRCP supporters.
Polling in some mandals of Eluru and East Godavari districts has been postponed due to heavy rains and flooding. Counting is scheduled for November 7, with repolling planned on November 6 wherever necessary.
