Andhra Pradesh Gears Up for Local Body Polls: 7,767 MPTC, 582 ZPTC Seats Go to Polls

Andhra Pradesh is all set to conduct the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections today, with the State Election Commission completing arrangements across the state. State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said special measures had been taken to ensure smooth polling in districts affected by heavy rainfall and Cyclone Murasu. District administrations have been directed to remain alert and address any weather-related challenges.

Punetha reviewed the preparedness of district collectors and Superintendents of Police through a video conference, seeking updates on polling station conditions, transportation facilities and the availability of election personnel. Officials reported that rainfall had subsided in most districts, with polling expected to proceed normally except in a few affected locations.

According to the State Election Commission's official press note, 2,61,52,377 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise, including 1.28 crore men, 1.32 crore women and 1,282 voters belonging to other categories. A total of 31,460 polling stations have been established, covering 28 Zilla Praja Parishads and 659 Mandal Praja Parishads.

Of the state's 9,821 MPTC seats, 2,051 have been decided unanimously, while elections are being conducted for 7,767 positions. Three constituencies will not go to polls because nominations were either not received or rejected. Similarly, 77 of the 659 ZPTC seats have been decided unanimously, leaving 582 constituencies for polling, with 2,169 candidates contesting. The MPTC elections have attracted 18,843 candidates.

State Election Secretary Dr A. Mallikarjuna said special attention was being given to West Godavari, Guntur and Bapatla districts. Of the total polling stations, 8,904 have been classified as sensitive and 7,160 as hypersensitive. CCTV surveillance will cover 16,064 locations, while 6,000 polling stations will have webcasting facilities and 6,507 will be monitored through videography.

DGP Harish Kumar Gupta said 40,679 police personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order. The Commission has also arranged 1,01,618 ballot boxes and appointed 39,166 presiding and assistant presiding officers. For counting, 365 centres and 9,062 tables have been arranged.

Meanwhile, the official results of the November 3 urban local body elections indicate a strong performance by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). According to the Election Commission's party-wise declaration, TDP secured 68 Mayor and Municipal Chairperson positions, followed by Jana Sena with 20, while the BJP and YSR Congress Party won four each. Independents secured two positions. The report covers 13 Municipal Corporations and 87 Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats, with two leadership-level results still outstanding in Ongole and Chirala.

The TDP also emerged as the leading party in the ward-member results, securing 2,535 of the reported 3,942 ward positions. YSRCP won 539 wards, Jana Sena 476 and BJP 152. Independents secured 121 positions, while CPI and CPM won seven and five wards respectively. The report recorded 755 unanimous ward results and one uncontested ward. Ongole's results were pending submission, while counting for 44 wards in Chirala was postponed.