Elections to Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) in Guntur district concluded peacefully at 5 p.m. on Thursday, with nearly 63% voter turnout recorded by 3 p.m. The final polling percentage would be announced later, the authorities said.

Polling began at 7 a.m. across 724 polling stations in the district. District Collector and District Election Officer C.M. Saikanth Varma inspected the arrangements at Lalpuram village in Guntur Rural mandal and interacted with voters and polling personnel.

Speaking to the media, he said a voter turnout of 6.02% was recorded by 9 a.m. and it rose to 23% by 11 a.m. Elections were held to 13 ZPTCs and 193 MPTCs. He said adequate security and facilities were ensured at all polling stations.

Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal said polling concluded without any untoward incidents. Elaborate security arrangements were made under the supervision of the Special Branch, with route mobile teams, striking forces, special striking forces and polling station in-charges working in coordination.

The SP inspected hyper-sensitive polling stations at Dokiparru in Medikonduru mandal, and Ponugupadu and Gollapalem villages in Phirangipuram mandal. He monitored the polling from the police control room using webcasting, videography, drones and the Samarth app.

Police personnel were instructed to prevent unauthorised gatherings, campaigning and attempts to influence voters near polling stations. Prohibitory orders were enforced around all polling centres.

Despite minor weather-and transportation-related difficulties caused by Cyclone Murasu, police personnel reached their assigned locations and discharged duties.

Polling peaceful in Palnadu

Meanwhile, the ZPTC and MPTC polls were largely peaceful in Palnadu district, with a voter turnout of over 58% recorded by 3 p.m. Voters exercised their franchise at 576 polling booths.

District Collector Krittika Shukla inspected the arrangements at Kubadpuram in Rajupalem mandal and Dechavaram in Nakarikallu mandal. She also inspected a polling station at the Zilla Parishad High School in Chaganti Vari Palem, Muppalla mandal, where women brought their grievances to her notice.

Police and revenue officials clarified that polling at Chaganti Vari Palem continued peacefully and that no untoward incident occurred during the Collector’s visit. They urged voters not to believe ‘distorted reports’.

Joint Collector Sanjana Sriharsha inspected a polling station at Brahmanapalli in Piduguralla mandal, while the Superintendent of Police Jagadish Adahalli visited Muppalla.

The SP told The Hindu that minor arguments were reported at Sattenapalli, Piduguralla, Macherla, Muppalla and other places. Strike forces intervened and restored order. Officials said help desks, drinking water, shade, queues and basic facilities were ensured at the polling stations. Wheelchairs and other assistance were provided to elderly and differently-abled voters.

Voting continues till 7.30 p.m. in Bapatla

Bapatla district recorded a provisional voter turnout of 66.26% in the MPTC and ZPTC elections, with the polling passing off peacefully. The percentage is likely to increase, as reports from some polling stations were awaited when the last report came in.

Voters queued up at polling stations even after the scheduled time ended. Presiding officers issued tokens to those waiting in queues, allowing them to exercise their franchise. Consequently, polling continued at a few centres until 7.30 p.m.

The district recorded 9.49% polling between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., which increased to 25.73% by 11 a.m. The turnout rose to 39.80% by 1 p.m. and 50.20% by 3 p.m., before reaching 66.26% in the final provisional update.

District Collector V. Vinod Kumar inspected polling stations at Pullayapalem and Devinuthala villages of Chirala mandal and in Vetapalem mandal headquarters. He enquired about polling arrangements, voter turnout and facilities provided to voters.

He inspected the command control room at the Collectorate and directed officials to maintain strict surveillance through CCTV cameras, webcasting and videography. He stressed the need for secure transportation of ballot boxes to strong rooms and continuous monitoring of vehicles along designated routes.

Superintendent of Police B. Uma Maheswara Rao monitored the election from the command-and-control room. He said the Samarth mobile application enabled the police personnel to respond quickly to incidents. Live locations of police personnel were tracked, while SOS alerts helped nearby patrol and striking teams reach locations within minutes.