Palnadu set for MPTC, ZPTC polls today

Palnadu district administration has completed arrangements for elections to Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) to be held on Thursday from 7 a.m., while the counting is scheduled for November 7.District Collector Krittika Shukla said arrangements were in place to ensure peaceful, transparent polling in accordance with election rules. Reviewing preparations at the Collectorate on Wednesday, she directed Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, route officers, sector officers and other personnel to discharge duties responsibly and avoid errors.She said polling station layouts, voter access routes and facilities should be checked. Route and sector officers were asked to inspect arrangements and rectify shortcomings. Polling staff, including Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, had been allotted duties through transparent randomisation. Transport should ensure their timely arrival at assigned stations.The Collector said adequate ballot papers bearing candidates’ names and election symbols must be supplied to polling stations. Their distribution, storage, use and sealing should follow prescribed procedures. Preparations for counting should be completed and counting staff trained.Officials were instructed to remain neutral and avoid any impression of favouring a candidate or political party. Strong rooms holding ballot boxes, ballot papers and sealing materials should be secure and protected from rainwater leakage. Security at strong rooms and counting centres must be monitored.Joint Collector and ZPTC Election Returning Officer Sanjana Sriharsha inspected the strong room and counting centre at A.M. Reddy College and instructed officials to ensure foolproof arrangements. She said sensitive areas would be specially monitored, reserve personnel deployed wherever necessary and security strengthened. Online systems would monitor election-related information and material distribution, including the POS process.Officials from all departments were asked to coordinate and ensure voters could exercise their franchise freely without inconvenience. Published - November 04, 2026 08:38 pm IST