Published Oct 31, 2026 | 8:35 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 31, 2026 | 8:35 PM
The election preparedness had been monitored over the past three to four months through reviews and coordination meetings at various levels.
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh has completed preparations for urban local body elections across 92 civic bodies, with 36,351 police personnel and 75,000 election staff deployed. Authorities have installed nearly 12,000 CCTV cameras, strengthened security at polling stations and strong rooms, and appointed observers to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anil Chandra Punetha on Saturday stated that all arrangements have been completed to conduct the urban local body elections in the state, scheduled for November 1.
Speaking to the media at the State Election Commission office in Vijayawada, Punetha said strict measures have been taken to ensure that every voter can exercise their right to vote freely, without fear or pressure.
He said that election preparedness had been monitored over the past three to four months through reviews and coordination meetings at various levels. He explained that meetings had been held with secretaries of government departments, municipal commissioners, district collectors, SPs, and police commissioners. Discussions had also been held with the Chief Secretary and DGP, Punetha said.
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The CEO stated that elections were notified for a total of 100 urban local bodies across the state. Excluding the seats won uncontested, elections are being held across 92 urban local bodies, comprising 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats.
Out of the 3,942 total wards, candidates were elected unanimously in 756 wards, including 118 in municipal corporations and 638 in municipalities and nagar panchayats. Similarly, chairpersons in 17 municipalities and nagar panchayats were elected unopposed.
CMDA Director Sampath Kumar stated that 153 candidates are contesting for mayor posts across the state’s 13 municipal corporations, while 367 candidates are in the fray for chairperson posts in 70 municipalities.
He added that 3,073 candidates are contesting for 922 corporation wards, and 6,669 candidates are competing for 2,382 municipal wards. In total, 9,642 candidates are competing for ward member positions across both corporations and municipalities.
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State Election Commission Secretary Dr A. Mallikarjuna stated that a total of 36,351 police personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order during the elections. He said security arrangements had been made by categorising polling stations as hyper-sensitive, sensitive, and normal. He explained that police security had been provided in a 1+4 pattern at hyper-sensitive stations and a 1+2 pattern at sensitive stations.
A total of 1,543 route mobile vehicles had been deployed for the safe transportation of ballot boxes and route clearance. These would be used to transport ballot boxes from distribution centres to polling stations and, after polling, to collection points and strong rooms.
Striking and special striking forces had been set up under the supervision of DSPs and Additional SPs to respond immediately to any law and order problems. Flying squads had been appointed to monitor violations of the election code of conduct. Along with deploying AP Special Police forces in sensitive pockets, reserve squads and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been kept on standby to handle potential emergencies, he stated
Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration (CMDA) Dr. Sampath Kumar stated that CCTV cameras, webcasting, and videography were being used to monitor the polling process and ensure transparency. He revealed that approximately 12,000 CCTV cameras had already been installed across 6,600 locations. Around 5,500 locations had been identified as sensitive, hyper-sensitive, and critical areas, with special surveillance arrangements in place.
The CEO stated that the retention period for election-related video footage had been increased from the previous 40 days to 60 days. He explained that if cases related to election disputes were pending before a tribunal or court, measures had been taken to preserve the relevant video footage until the cases were resolved.
Punetha also said that the strong rooms would be under continuous police security. He made it clear that steps were being taken to leave no room for negligence in the security of ballot boxes.
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Sampath Kumar stated that approximately 75,000 staff members had been appointed for election duties. This includes 1,449 Returning Officers, 2,543 Assistant Returning Officers, 13,504 Presiding Officers, 13,504 Assistant Presiding Officers, and 51,716 other polling officers.
Additionally, 3,720 micro-observers and 1,835 webcasting staff had been appointed, he stated. Sampath Kumar said the dispatch of polling staff had begun, and measures were being taken to ensure that everyone reached their allotted locations by 8 PM. He revealed that arrangements had been made to provide the State Election Commission with election-related information once every two hours on polling day.
CEO Punetha stated that preparations are also underway for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections, scheduled four to five days after the urban local body polls. General Observers and Expenditure Observers have already been appointed.
Punetha emphasised that all government departments are working in coordination to ensure free, fair, and seamless polling for every voter.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
