Massive arrangements for the urban local body elections are complete. Strong measures are being taken to ensure that every voter can exercise their right to vote freely and in a peaceful environment. Strong security arrangements with CCTV, webcasting, and police presence – State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha
N A T I O N A L N E W S
AP Beauro Report – Bharath (Dg) News
By- Raja Pentapati – Amaravati – Oct 31
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said that all arrangements have been made to conduct the urban local body elections in the state in a peaceful, free and transparent manner. He clarified that the main objective of the State Election Commission is to create an environment where every voter can freely exercise their right to vote without any fear or pressure.
He stated that meetings were held with the Chief Secretary and DGP on the election arrangements, and meetings were held with district collectors, SPs, police commissioners as well as observers and comprehensive discussions were held on election preparations, law and order and other arrangements.
The Commissioner clarified that maintaining law and order in the state is their first priority. He said that the necessary environment is being created so that every voter can reach the polling station without any difficulty and exercise their right to vote freely.
It was revealed that adequate training has already been provided to the returning officers, presiding officers and other polling personnel who will be performing the election duties. He said that clear instructions have been issued to the officers at all levels to ensure that there is no room for any mistakes in the conduct of the election.
The Commissioner said that elections have been notified for 100 urban local bodies including 13 municipal corporations, municipalities and city panchayats across the state.
He explained that excluding the seats that were unanimously elected, elections will be held in a total of 92 urban local bodies including 13 municipal corporations, 79 municipalities and city panchayats.
He said that members were elected unanimously in 756 wards out of a total of 3,942 wards. It was stated that 118 ward members were elected unanimously in municipal corporations and 638 ward members were elected unanimously in municipalities and city panchayats.
Similarly, 17 chairpersons of municipalities and city panchayats were unanimously elected.
The Commissioner explained that a large number of staff have been appointed at various levels for the conduct of the elections. He said that the necessary
staff has been made available for the installation of CCTV cameras, webcasting and other monitoring arrangements at necessary places to ensure that there is no possibility of any irregularities in the conduct of the elections.
The Commissioner said that all kinds of security arrangements are being made at the strong rooms to secure the ballot boxes after polling. He said that CCTV surveillance is being set up for the strong rooms and continuous police security is being provided.
The Commissioner said that special focus is currently being placed on the conduct of urban local body elections, and then arrangements will continue in all districts across the state for the conduct of MPTC and ZPTC elections within four to five days.
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha clarified that general observers and expenditure observers have already been appointed for this election.
State Election Commission Secretary Dr. A. Mallikarjuna said that a total of 36,351 police personnel have been deployed for election security. Reserve teams have been formed under the supervision of SPs, additional SPs, senior police officers, DIGs and IGs. Quick reaction teams have been appointed to respond immediately in case of any untoward incident. IG B. Rajakumari said that strong security arrangements have been made to ensure that the elections are held peacefully and freely. Dr. P. Sampath Kumar informed that all arrangements have been completed to conduct the election process transparently and effectively.
Swacha Andhra Pradesh
