There was a lot of speculation that Andhra Pradesh SEC, Nimmgadda Ramesh Kumar would make use of Central forces, to conduct the upcoming local elections in the state. These speculations took life from the fact that the state government has not been cooperating with the SEC. Following the Supreme Court’s verdict though, even the state government is now cooperating, albeit against its will.
Nimmagadda clarified that the elections would be conducted making use of the state forces itself, as he completely believes that the state forces are capable and enough to hold the general elections in the state.
Nimmagadda met with Anantapur district’s District Collector Gandham Chandrudu and Superintendent of Police (SP) Satya Yesu Babu today and congratulated them on making all the necessary arrangements for the first phase of elections.
A total of 12 mandals are going for polls as part of the first phase, on February 9th, and these mandals include Amadagur, Bukkapatnam, Gandlapenta, Kadiri, Kothacheruvu, NP Kunta, Nallacheruvu, Nallamada, Obuladevaracheruvu, Puttaparthi, Talupula and Tanakal.
Furthermore, Nimmagdda requested the people of the concerned areas to take an active part in the polling, as it would ensure a better life for them, and so that it would benefit them in so many ways if there was the right kind of leadership at the helm.
The polling timings have been decided to begin at 6:30 AM and end at 3:30 PM, to facilitate safe polling, via social distancing. The pre-covid timings were from 7 AM to 1 PM. The last one hour of the polling now is dedicated to voters who are covid positive, and still want to vote.
Nimmagadda is about to retire from his service on March 31st, and the final phase of the elections will come to an end on February 21st.