Published Nov 05, 2026 | 2:44 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 05, 2026 | 2:44 PM
While heated arguments broke out between rival party leaders in some areas, police intervened elsewhere to bring the situation under control.
The Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections in Andhra Pradesh are underway, with violent incidents reported from across the state on Thursday, November 5.
Disputes broke out near polling stations, particularly in Darsi, Chimakurthy, Tangutur, and Tallur mandals of the Prakasam district, while violent incidents were reported in Kadapa, Kurnool, Tirupati, Chandragiri, and Chittoor. Allegations that YSRCP polling agents were forced out of booths, voters were blocked, and bogus votes were being cast caused a major political stir, prompting opposition leaders and agents in several villages to announce a boycott of the election process.
Meanwhile, disputes and criticism over police conduct also surfaced during polling in Kadapa, Nandyal, and Sri Sathya Sai districts. While heated arguments broke out between rival party leaders in some areas, police intervened elsewhere to bring the situation under control.
Elections are being conducted across the state for 582 ZPTC and 7,767 MPTC seats, with 2,169 candidates contesting for ZPTC posts and 18,843 in the fray for MPTC seats. Earlier, 77 ZPTC and 2,051 MPTC seats were filled unanimously, while polling was withheld for three MPTC seats. A total of 2.61 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise, with women outnumbering men.
Polling began at 7:00 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 5:00 p.m. across 31,460 polling stations.
Tensions flared across several villages in the Darsi constituency of Prakasam district, with violent incidents being reported from across villages.
YSRCP sources alleged that TDP leaders prevented their agents from entering polling stations in Korrapativaripalem and Sivaramapuram villages of Tallur mandal. YSRCP also claimed their agents were forced out of all polling stations in Rajampalli, while they were removed in Tanamchintala to facilitate rigging. The opposition party also alleged that the police ejected their agents from the polling booths in Chalivendra and Venkatachalampalli villages.
In Madhavaram of Tallur mandal, YSRCP sources alleged that their agents were dragged out and attacked, and voters were intimidated.
Allegations also surfaced that around 100 TDP workers from Narasaraopet infiltrated polling stations in Darsi.
Another dispute arose regarding Scheduled Caste (SC) voters in Korrapativaripalem, who alleged they were being prevented from voting after the polling station designated for their colony was shifted to another building. Women expressed anguish over being threatened and turned away when they went to cast their votes. They appealed to the Election Commission for intervention, alleging that unauthorised individuals cast votes on their behalf.
In Gonugunta of Chimakurthy mandal, villagers staged a protest, alleging that YSRCP agents had been detained at the police station the previous night. They announced an election boycott and accused TDP leaders of casting votes in the absence of opposing agents. In Manchikalapadu of the same mandal, YSRCP sources alleged that TDP agents were casting bogus votes under the pretext of assisting elderly voters.
The polling process also turned contentious in Konijedu of Tangutur mandal, where YSRCP leaders alleged that nearly 150 bouncers were brought in from Ongole to prevent YSRCP sympathisers from reaching polling stations. Expressing outrage over police conduct, YSRCP leaders and booth agents walked out of the polling process and announced a boycott, leading to a tense atmosphere in the village.
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YSRCP leaders alleged that a female TDP leader entered the polling station at the ZP Boys High School in Kadapa district’s Kalasapadu and attempted to rig elections, leading to tensions. Upon receiving information, Mydukur DSP Rajendra Prasad arrived at the scene with personnel and brought the situation under control.
At the Nandalur polling station, allegations emerged that a police constable behaved aggressively toward a media representative, snatching his camera and throwing it to the ground. Journalists lodged a formal complaint with District SP Nachiketh Vishwanath. Following demands from journalist unions, the SP reportedly assured them of appropriate action against the constable.
In Malasamudram village of Sri Sathya Sai district, Gorantla CI Boya Sekhar intercepted YSRCP leaders following allegations that they were distributing money and liquor. Former minister and YSRCP district president Ushasri Charan strongly objected to the police action and expressed anger at the CI, alleging that her party cadre was being unfairly targeted and attacked. Following a heated argument between the two, Ushasri Charan staged a road protest demanding action against the CI.
In Marutla of Anantapur district, YSRCP and TDP cadres clashed inside the polling station. Alleging rigging, party workers carried ballot boxes out of the polling station and threw them onto the ground.
In Chandragiri of Tirupati district, TDP leader Pulivarthi Sudha Reddy issued a warning to YSRCP leader Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, accusing him of attempting to stir up trouble during polling. She declared that she would shadow Chevireddy wherever he went and urged the police to restrain him.
Meanwhile, YSRCP state youth wing president Byreddy Siddharth Reddy on Thursday slammed the TDP-led government over the alleged arrest of YSRCP leaders, workers, and booth agents in the Nandikotkur constituency of Nandyal district. He questioned the police regarding the legal grounds for arresting booth agents, demanding that the force act impartially and strictly in accordance with the law to protect democratic processes.
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State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha claimed that polling was proceeding peacefully across the state. After inspecting polling stations on the outskirts of Vijayawada, he stated that voting was taking place smoothly and claimed that candidates’ agents were present at every polling station.
Stating that an initial voter turnout of 10 to 15 per cent was recorded during the early hours of polling, Punetha explained that all necessary arrangements had been made to prevent untoward incidents. Emphasising that the right to vote is fundamental in a democracy, he appealed to all eligible citizens to turn out in large numbers at polling stations to exercise their franchise.
Approximately 2.52 lakh election staff and 40,679 police personnel have been deployed for the elections, with a special focus on sensitive areas. In total, 8,904 polling stations were identified as sensitive and 7,160 as hyper-sensitive, with monitoring arranged via CCTV cameras, webcasting, and videography.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
