Andhra Pradesh deploys over 36,000 police personnel for urban local body polls on November 1

Andhra Pradesh has deployed 36,351 police personnel along with drones, CCTV cameras, and videographers to ensure free and fair elections to Urban Local Bodies on November 1. State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha stated that strict action will be taken against anyone who violates the Model Code of Conduct or disturbs law and order.

Force Breakdown

The total police deployment includes 32,276 district police personnel, 2,730 personnel from the Andhra Pradesh Special Police, and 1,345 from other police wings. The field force features 152 DSPs, 662 circle or reserve inspectors, 1,564 sub-inspectors or reserve SIs, and 2,111 assistant SIs. Authorities have also deployed 4,505 head constables, 17,017 constables, and 6,179 home guards, while 34 Superintendents of Police and 52 additional SPs will monitor the security situation.

Surveillance and Teams

The state has assigned 1,543 mobile teams with 3,103 personnel, 481 striking force teams with 1,479 personnel, and 347 special striking force teams with 1,394 personnel. Officials have also put 405 flying squads on duty to check code violations, alongside 414 teams with 2,516 personnel stationed at checkposts and surveillance points.

Polling Stations

Security covers 4,372 polling stations in total, including 3,355 personnel assigned to 671 hypersensitive centres and 4,943 personnel guarding 1,233 sensitive centres. Furthermore, 4,655 personnel will protect ballot box strong rooms across 111 centres, and 525 personnel will manage security at distribution centres.

Context

State election commissions routinely deploy large security forces during local body elections to prevent electoral malpractice and ensure voters can cast their ballots safely. Urban local body polls cover municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats.