Rain Delays Vote Counting In Six ULBs, Vijayawada And Guntur
The state election commission permitted delayed start of counting in six ULBs - to begin at 11.30am instead of the scheduled 8am.
Vijayawada: Heavy rain under the influence of severe cyclonic storm Murasu delayed vote counting in six urban local bodies in Prakasam and Bapatla districts, as well as at the counting centres in Vijayawada and Guntur, on Tuesday.
The cyclone crossed the coast near Ongole between 3.30am and 5.30am on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain to Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu and Prakasam districts, among others.
Based on requests from the district collectors, the state election commission permitted delayed start of counting in six ULBs - to begin at 11.30am instead of the scheduled 8am.
These included Ongole municipal corporation and the municipalities of Chimakurthy, Addanki and Darsi in Prakasam district, and Repalle and Chirala in Bapatla district.
The heavy rain and high-velocity winds disrupted public movement and transport, causing inconvenience to voters.
Counting continued beyond the permitted time at some centres.
In NTR district, counting for Vijayawada municipal corporation began around 10.30am, against the scheduled 8am.
Rainwater flooded the grounds of Loyola College, where the counting was arranged, forcing counting staff to wade through knee-deep water to reach the centre.
Counting at Guntur municipal corporation was also delayed due to rain.
Meanwhile, the AP high court dismissed a petition filed by YSRC Pulivendula municipal chairperson nominee YS Prameela and YSRC MP YS Avinash Reddy seeking repolling in all wards over alleged electoral malpractices.
The court allowed counting to proceed as scheduled from 8am.