Municipal elections conclude peacefully across Chittoor, Annamayya and Sri Sathya Sai districts
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MLA and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna and his wife Vasundara show their inked fingers after casting their votes at Hindupur in Sri Sathya Sai district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement
The urban local body elections across Chittoor, Annamayya and Sri Sathya Sai districts witnessed contrasting voting trends on Sunday. Chittoor recorded an enthusiastic response, Annamayya a moderate turnout, and Sri Sathya Sai district saw varied participation as polling concluded peacefully at 5 p.m. under tight police security.
Polling was held in 12 urban local bodies across the three districts, covering four in Chittoor, Madanapalle and Punganur municipalities in Annamayya, and six in Sri Sathya Sai district. The combined electorate stood at 8,25,981, including 4,21,314 women, 4,04,555 men, and 112 voters belonging to other categories.
Chittoor district accounted for 3,23,855 voters. Nagari recorded 63 per cent polling, while Kuppam registered 78 per cent by 5 p.m. Punganur recorded 63 per cent turnout by 5 p.m., indicating a substantial voter response despite tensions reported during the nominations last month.
Madanapalle had an electorate of 1,16,958. Voting remained moderate during the earlier hours, with queues gradually building up at several polling stations by afternoon and peaking between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
In Sri Sathya Sai district, the six urban local bodies β Hindupur, Dharmavaram, Kadiri, Puttaparthi, Penukonda and Madakasira β together had 3,85,168 voters. Penukonda recorded 63 per cent polling by 3 p.m., reflecting considerable participation in the municipality. Superintendent of Police (SP) S. Satish Kumar camped at the sensitive Dharmavaram municipality, inspecting the polling stations from dawn to dusk.
Superintendent of Police Dheeraj Kunubilli inspecting a polling station at Madanapalle in Annamayya district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement
Meanwhile, a minor incident was reported in Madanapalle when YSRCP municipal chairperson candidate Jinka Chalapathi arrived at ward 16/3 polling station with supporters and attempted to enter the booth. The Quick Response Team intervened, stopped him, and moved him aside. Polling continued without major disruption.
In Chittoor, Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Dudi and Deputy SP J. Venkatanarayana monitored polling stations through web cameras. While 51 divisions were declared unanimous, only nine divisions went to the polls on Sunday, besides the mayor elections.
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