Notwithstanding the arrest of a two-member action team, two dalam members and six militia members in the Visakha Agency, the district administration is confident of a peaceful polling all over the district on Wednesday.
There are 33,46,639 voters in the district spread over 15 Assembly segments coming under Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, and Araku Parliamentary constituencies. Two segments -- Paderu and Araku Valley -- come under the Araku Lok Sabha constituency.
Large forceA large force of 24,300 polling personnel would conduct the elections in 3,614 polling stations. Several thousands of police personnel, including many from the CRPF, BSF and civil policemen from other States, in addition to the AP Special Police and Greyhounds have taken positions all over the district. There are 337 polling stations located in 244 places that have Maoist influence, while 259 polling stations are in hyper critical and 551 in critical areas.
There are 41 candidates in fray for the three Lok Sabha seats and 178 for the 15 Assembly seats. Polling will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and in Paderu and Araku Valley segments from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. All those present on the premises of polling stations at the closing time of polling will be allowed to vote.
Polling personnel along with EVMs and other election material moved to the polling stations allotted to them. The EVMs and material were distributed to them at 15 distribution centres located in the district on Tuesday.
District Election Officer and Collector S. Solomon Arokia Raj went round the distribution centres. At the BHPV High School, the distribution centre for Gajuwaka Assembly segment, he verified with the polling staff their duties during polling and got checked the EVMs. At the Visakha South distribution centre located at the Visakha Govt. Junior College for Girls, Mr. Arokia Raj deputed Project Director of DRDA Satya Sai Srinivas and CEO of Zilla Praja Parishad Maheswar Reddy to fasten the process of distribution.
Parties busyMeanwhile, the candidates and party workers and leaders were busy planning their strategies for polling. It was alleged that money and liquor along with other inducements were being distributed to voters in spite of strict surveillance by the police and election staff.
Deputy Superintendent of Police of Chintapalli E.G. Ashok Kumar told reporters at Chintapalli that heavy police bandobust was arranged for polling stations even in the remote villages. At some remote places, where permanent buildings were not available, the police erected temporary polling stations. He expected higher percentage of polling during this election.
