Andhra Pradesh Urban Local Body Elections End with Local Clashes

Elections across 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats in Andhra Pradesh concluded at 5 p.m. on Sunday without major law and order problems, though sporadic violence and stone-pelting occurred between workers of the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress Party in Pulivendula, where several vehicles were also torched. The overall voter turnout across these urban local bodies reached 48.03 percent by 3 p.m., according to the State Election Commission, which is lower than the 63.30 percent recorded during the 2021 elections. Among the 13 corporations that went to polls, Machilipatnam recorded the highest turnout at 55.10 percent, while Greater Visakhapatnam registered the lowest at 39.72 percent.

Protests and Polling Extensions

YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy staged a protest in Pulivendula over alleged electoral malpractices and the prevention of party agents from entering several booths. Mr. Jagan demanded a complete repoll in the municipality and left without casting his vote. A mild tense situation also arose when Mr. Jagan headed to the Returning Officer's office, as Sk. Dastagiri, an accused in the murder of former MP Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, confronted the YSRCP chief. In Vijayawada, polling in Ward No. 55 was extended by two and a half hours until 7.30 p.m. to fix a printing error concerning election symbols allotted to two candidates. Independent candidate A.B. Venkateswara Rao also staged a protest at Polling Station No. 73 in New RR Peta, Vijayawada, demanding a repoll at that booth.

Official Response and Action

State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha stated at a press conference in Vijayawada that he had sought a report from the District Collector regarding Mr. Jagan's demands and would base any repoll decisions on formal requests supported by evidence from the Collector or the Superintendent of Police. Mr. Punetha noted that the Commission had to manage elections with available manpower and resources without external observers. The Police Department registered 275 First Information Reports in connection with 40 incidents across the State. Officials are currently inquiring into reports from the Rayalaseema and Palnadu regions, and any required repolling will take place on November 2.

Context

Urban local body elections in India decide the leadership and administration of towns and cities, managing local issues like sanitation, water supply, and road maintenance. State Election Commissions conduct these local polls separately from the national parliamentary elections handled by the Election Commission of India.