Tensions flare at several Visakhapatnam polling booths during local body elections

Voters wait in queue to cast their votes at a polling booth in Peda Jalaripeta, in the East Assembly constituency, during the GVMC elections in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU A few incidents of alleged electoral irregularities, heated arguments and confrontations between YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and NDA leaders were reported in different parts of the city during polling for the local body elections on Sunday.Tension prevailed at polling booth No. 5 in Ward No. 37 under the South Assembly constituency following allegations by YSRCP leaders that attempts were being made to influence voters and that polling personnel were acting in favour of an NDA candidate. The situation escalated into heated arguments between YSRCP mayoral candidate Varudu Kalyani, former MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar and other party leaders on one side, and NDA leaders on the other. The issue was resolved following the intervention of the District Collector.Speaking to the media after the incident, Ms. Kalyani alleged that the YSRCP corporator candidate from the ward was initially denied entry into the polling booth, even though candidates were being allowed to visit polling stations. On receiving information about this, she rushed to the polling station but was also initially prevented from entering.“I immediately contacted the Collector, following which I was allowed inside after some time. However, the officials repeatedly asked me to leave within a minute of entering the booth. Their behaviour gave me the impression that some anti-social activity was taking place inside,” she alleged.Mr. Ganesh Kumar also accused the election staff of favouring the NDA candidate, alleging that an election officer was signing in a manner that indicated to voters that they should vote for the ‘glass’ symbol.Meanwhile, NDA leaders in Ward No. 26 made counter-allegations against former Jana Sena Party (JSP) corporator P.L.V.N. Murthy, who is contesting as an Independent candidate in the ward. They alleged that he was found carrying election-related material that could influence voters.In another incident, a minor confrontation broke out between supporters of Ms. Kalyani and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Ward No. 29 under the East Assembly constituency. The incident reportedly occurred when Ms. Kalyani was returning after casting her vote at a polling station in the area. A brief argument between the two groups created tension at the spot. Police personnel deployed at the polling station intervened and asked both groups to disperse.Disputes also broke out between NDA and YSRCP leaders in Ward No. 12 at Jodugullapalem, prompting police intervention to bring the situation under control.Similar altercations were reported in Wards No. 78 and 92, where supporters of NDA and YSRCP candidates entered into arguments and clashes. Police personnel deployed at the respective locations intervened and pacified the groups. Published - November 01, 2026 07:13 pm IST