Tight Security for 1st Phase Panchayat Poll Nominations in Rayalaseema

Anantapur: Police have made elaborate security arrangements at nomination centres in 13 mandals of Anantapur district, where nomination process is underway for the first phase of gram panchayat elections.

Villages with a history of factional clashes in the Rayalaseema region are being closely monitored amid reports of tension. The state government's financial assistance for village development in case of unanimous election of sarpanches is encouraging panchayat voters to ensure a unanimous choice among themselves.

Anantapur superintendent of police P. Jagadish said additional forces have been deployed at nomination centres and surrounding areas to prevent untoward incidents during the elections. Special surveillance has been arranged in sensitive and problematic areas, with police officers closely monitoring the situation.

Police are taking preventive measures to avoid overcrowding at nomination centres by candidates and their supporters. Field-level personnel have been asked to remain alert and prevent clashes, disputes, and other law-and-order problems during the filing of nominations. Police personnel have been instructed to ensure that candidates file their nominations in a staggered manner peacefully and transparently.

Candidates, political party representatives, and the public have been requested to cooperate with the police.

In the first phase, elections will be held in gram panchayats across 13 mandals in the Kalyanadurgam revenue division of Anantapur district and eight mandals in the Adoni and Pathikonda divisions of Kurnool district. Nominations will be accepted until the evening of Tuesday, November 17. Polling is scheduled for November 26.

The Anantapur SP told Deccan Chronicle that drone cameras are being used in all villages to prevent election-related violence. Additional forces and police teams have already been deployed in sensitive villages.