Sporadic clashes mar MPTC/ZPTC elections in Kurnool, Nandyal, and Anantapur districts

Elections for the ZPTCs and MPTCs in Kurnool, Nandyal, and Anantapur districts passed off by and large peaceful barring sporadic incidents of clashes, disruption to electoral process, and allegations of malpractices.

According to the tentative figures released by the district administrations, Nandyal registered 73.63% polling, while the poll percentage was 68.23 % in Kurnool and 64.83% in Anantapur.

In the combined Kurnool district, elaborate arrangements were made for the 19,37,707 electorate to exercise their franchise in 2,670 polling stations. Polling commenced at 7 a.m. and continued until 5 p.m. and nearly 13.59 lakh have exercised their franchise in the two districts.

In Kurnool district, Kallur mandal registered the highest poll percentage of 81.79 while the lowest of 54.44% was registered at Kosigi mandal. Elections were held for 26 ZPTC and 358 MPTC territorial constituencies while 74 MPTC seats went unanimous.

In Nandyal district, the total votes were 6,88,495 of which more than 5.07 lakh were polled. Bandi Atmakur mandal registered the highest of 80.03 poll percentage while Uyyalawada registered the lowest of 67.33%. Elections were held for 20 of 28 ZPTC constituencies and 224 out of 377 MPTC constituencies.

In Gummanur village of Chippagiri mandal, Kurnool district, rival groups clashed over and pelted stones on each other over the appointment of polling agents. Tension prevailed in the the village and the police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. In Hosur village of Pathikonda mandal, tension began when police attempted to take YSRCP leader Banagani Srinivas to the police station that was resisted by the party supporters. Police resorted to lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.

Minor incidents were also reported at Chippagiri polling centre, Muchumarri village, Kolimigunla and Dinne Devarapadu polling centre in Kurnool mandal. In Dinne Devarapau, the supporter of an independent candidate reportedly assaulted a woman constable under the influence of alcohol.

In Anantapur, a government teacher assigned to election duty, Haritha, fell ill at a polling station and died at Kadadarukunta in Kudair mandal. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, and others expressed grief over Haritha’s death while she was performing election duties.