Andhra Pradesh SEC reviews cyclone impact as MPTCs, ZPTCs go to polls today

Polling staff arriving at a polling station amid rain in Polavaram district on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement With heavy rains and gales under the influence of Cyclone Murasu posing challenges in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha on Wednesday reviewed the arrangements for the MPTC and ZPTC elections scheduled for Thursday.The SEC had elaborate discussions on the arrangements made for the polls with the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police.The SEC sought reports on weather conditions, accessibility of polling stations, transport facilities and preparedness of poll personnel, particularly in the cyclone-hit districts.The Collectors reportedly informed him that rainfall had subsided in most districts and that polling could be conducted without difficulty in all pockets, barring a few.Mr. Punetha instructed the district administrations to continuously monitor local conditions and take preventive measures to ensure that voters and polling personnel did not face inconvenience in rain-affected areas.He said decisions on any difficulties in conducting the elections would be taken based on detailed reports from field-level officials. He directed officials of all departments to coordinate to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling, with adequate security arrangements to prevent untoward incidents.2.52 lakh officials drafted for poll dutiesState Election Secretary A. Mallikarjuna said around 2.52 lakh officials and employees had been drafted for election duties, while another 52,000 personnel would be engaged in the counting process. Special attention was being paid to the arrangements in West Godavari, Guntur and Bapatla districts, which bore the brunt of the cyclone.He stressed the need for videography at polling stations, including inside the premises wherever necessary, without compromising the secrecy of voting. Any untoward incident should be recorded, he said, directing Presiding Officers to promptly alert Zonal Magistrates or the police in case of any malpractice or disturbance.He also asked the officials to ensure that Presiding Officers downloaded the designated applications at distribution centres, making alternative arrangements through the phones of other polling personnel or police officials if necessary.Pointing out that the electorate had increased to around 2.61 crore, Mr. Mallikarjuna called for micro-level planning and coordination to ensure smooth conduct of the elections.DGP Harish Kumar Gupta said the police had drawn up detailed security plans, including arrangements to regulate crowds and queues at polling stations. Adequate forces would be deployed according to local requirements to maintain law and order and enable voters to exercise their franchise without difficulty.Panchayat Raj Commissioner Mailavarapu Krishna Teja said elections were being held for 7,770 of the total 9,821 MPTC seats, with 2,051 seats having been decided unanimously. As many as 18,843 candidates were contesting the remaining seats, he said.For the elections, 31,460 polling stations have been set up across the State, with approximately 2.61 crore voters set to exercise their franchise. Published - November 04, 2026 08:02 pm IST