The district administration is fully geared up for the elections to Chittoor municipal corporation, and six municipalities of Madanapalle, Palamaner, Punganur, Puttur, Nagari and Srikalahati, with only a few hours left for the campaigning to close by Friday evening, followed by polling on March 30.
The district Collector and Election Officer K. Ramgopal gave instructions to the Municipal Commissioners (returning officers) regarding foolproof arrangements for the elections.
The election authorities have set up 387 polling centres and 461 booths for the municipal polls, in which 4.30 lakh people are going to cast their votes.
Over 3,000 personnel from education and revenue wings were drafted for election duties, apart police personnel. The officials completed the formalities of appointing polling agents and issuing of orders for the polling staff. The polling material such as ballot boxes and EVMs have reached the respective municipalities.
Women voters are going to play a vital role in the municipal elections, as they outnumber men in Palamaner, Punganur and Puttur municipalities.
Meanwhile, the candidates in fray for the divisions in Chittoor and for wards in other municipalities have stepped up their campaign. Current trend has it that YSR Congress is heading for a one-sided victory in Punganur, while in other municipalities there is head to head fight between the TDP and YSRC. In Chittoor corporation polls, the TDP candidates are in the forefront of canvassing as various groups have come to patch up their differences.
