CCTV Surveillance, 60-Day Video Preservation Mandated for AP Local Body Polls

State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha has directed district collectors and Superintendents of Police to ensure that local body elections across Andhra Pradesh are conducted peacefully, transparently and without any untoward incidents. He stressed the need to maintain law and order, prevent intimidation and deploy adequate police forces to ensure a smooth electoral process.

Addressing a video conference with district officials on Thursday, Punetha said the coordinated efforts of the administration and police had significantly improved election management in the state. Recalling violence during previous local body elections in certain districts, he said Supreme Court intervention and stronger security arrangements had helped improve the situation. He appreciated officials for successfully conducting the recent MPTC, ZPTC and urban local body elections.

Reviewing the election schedule, Punetha said the first phase of elections in 100 urban local bodies had been completed. Elections for Mandal Parishad presidents and Zilla Parishad chairpersons would be held on November 19 and 20, respectively. Polling in the remaining 23 urban local bodies was scheduled for November 26, with counting on November 30. The state would conduct gram panchayat elections in three phases, with notifications scheduled for November 13, 16 and 19. Results would be declared on November 26, 29 and December 2, respectively. The entire process is expected to conclude by December 3 or 4.

The Commissioner instructed collectors and SPs to identify sensitive areas and prepare security plans, particularly in districts where urban and rural local body elections would take place simultaneously. Candidates must receive adequate protection while filing nominations, and special arrangements should be made for those travelling from remote areas.

Authorities were also directed to install CCTV cameras and videography facilities at nomination centres, strong rooms and counting centres. Election recordings must be preserved for at least 60 days or until the disposal of election petitions. Secretary Dr A. Mallikarjuna said separate Returning Officers must be appointed for gram panchayats with populations exceeding 10,000.

Inspector General of Police B. Rajakumari directed police officials to deploy striking forces and mobile teams to prevent clashes, threats and attempts to obstruct nominations. She called for immediate action on complaints, particularly in districts that reported election-related grievances during previous polls. Officials were also cautioned against unauthorised circulation of election videos on social media.

The meeting was attended by district collectors, SPs, election observers and senior officials, including Panchayat Raj Commissioner M.V. Krishna Teja and CDMA Additional Director Ravindra Babu.