Mock Polling Again in Ongole

Authorities are preparing to conduct mock polling using EVMs in 12 polling centers in the Ongole Legislative Assembly constituency. In the 2024 general elections, 26 candidates contested the Ongole Assembly seat, with TDP candidate Damacharla Janardhan securing a significant victory by 34,060 votes against YSRCP candidate Balineni Srinivasa Reddy.

Despite Janardhan’s victory, former minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy has raised concerns about the voting pattern and EVMs’ reliability. He has requested a mock polling of EVMs in twelve polling centers and has paid ₹5.44 lakh to the Election Commission for this purpose. Collector Tamim Ansaria, who has received training in Hyderabad on the necessary measures, is overseeing the preparations. The mock polling will involve the EVMs used in polling centers 6, 26, 42, 59, 75, 76, 123, 184, 192, 199, 245, and 256 from the May 13 elections.

This process is scheduled to occur between the 19th and 24th of this month, with the exact date to be finalized soon. Former minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy will be informed of the schedule, and representatives from BHEL Company will be invited to manage the process.