The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Banwar Lal on Tuesday informed that the people of Chintapalli and Tungapalli villages have boycotted the by-elections in Polavaram Constituency as the CPI (M) has not fielded its candidate.
Speaking to the media here, Banwar Lal said that the two officials, who were removed from the election duty, have given explanation and said that they had only helped an aged voter. The EC has also sought the explanation from the collectors of the district concerned on Sakshi journalist entering the polling booth with an iron rod at Polavaram, and a woman officer acting in favor of YSR Congress party in Ananthapur.
He also informed that on an average, 50 percent of the votes were polled in the 18 Assembly Constituencies by 1 pm. The poll percentage at 1 pm was: Allagadda (51), Rayadurgam (51), Ananthapur (39), Ongole (51), Payakaraopet (52), Yemmiganuru (49.95), Parakala (35), Narsannapet (45.4), Pathipadu(48) and Macharla(55). (NSS)