Municipal elections held across the State today witnessed several incidents of fighting between rival parties at various places. There were scenes of protest and chaos as either EVMs have gone defunct or swapping of voter lists.
In a few cases, the election officials insisted on voter slips despite holding voter ID cards which forced the electors to get back home expressing displeasure. At many polling booths in Kadapa, Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari districts, voters were seen lining up for exercising their franchise. Although the elections went on a soft note without any untoward incident, some 60 people in Peddapuram village in East Godavari district, boycotted the voting.
According to the information, they stayed away from voting in protest against the failure of officials and elected representatives to cater to their needs of basic amenities. While in another incident, polling started at 3 pm in two polling booths under Nandigama area in Krishna district. In another case, one Lakshma Reddy broke an EVM hitting it against a Table at Macherla in Guntur district. In this case, State Election Commissioner ordered an inquiry.
In a related development, an old woman Yashodamma reportedly died due to Sun stroke soon after exercising her vote in Madanapally. Surprisingly, municipal elections began at 3 pm instead of at 7 am at 19th ward of Annasagaram Nagara Panchayati in Nandigama town of Krishna district. Though officials said they have made all arrangements for the smooth and fair polling, people in Nandigama had to face the embarrassment in the scorching Sun. Main reason for the delay was said to be swapping of voter lists among the two polling booths of Hanumanthu Palem and Anasagaram. Though officials have managed to get the voter list, the polling began at 3 pm. But by then, the voters did not get the chance to exercise their franchise as the officials failed to get their voters list in Hanumanthu Palem polling booth. At this juncture, the Election Commission is now planning to conduct re-elections for about seven areas. (NSS)
