MPDO Dies On Election Duty; Logistics Lapses Spark Anger

WARANGAL: The third phase of the gram panchayat elections ended on a tragic note with the death of a Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) in Mulugu district, suspected to have suffered a cardiac arrest linked to election-related strain. While polling in Mulugu and Jangaon districts recorded high voter turnout, it was also marked by serious logistical lapses, including the lack of transport and food for polling staff, triggering widespread anger.

The deceased was identified as G. Rajendra Prasad, 58, MPDO of Venkatapuram mandal in Mulugu district. A resident of Hanamkonda, he had recently returned from long-term medical leave to assist with election duties. Late on Wednesday night, after completion of vote counting, Prasad collapsed at a nearby tea stall as he and other staff were preparing to leave.

Despite being administered CPR and rushed to the government hospital at the district headquarters, he was declared dead on arrival while being shifted to Warangal for specialised treatment. Officials said prolonged exertion and election-related pressure were suspected to have led to the fatal cardiac arrest.

In Jangaon district, polling personnel and voters faced severe hardship due to the absence of basic facilities. In Kodakandla village of Palakurthy mandal, election staff staged a protest after being left without food, water or tea until 11.30 pm. Adding to the outrage, food packets were later delivered in a bag placed inside a garbage collection tractor. Staff members, including those with health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, criticised the administration for the inhumane handling of the situation.

Transport issues were also reported in Chilpur mandal, where polling staff were left stranded on the road at midnight after officials said no vehicles were available to return them to the district headquarters. A bus was arranged only at 1 am following the intervention of district collector Rizwan Basha Shaik, who acted after receiving information from locals.

Separately, protests erupted in Jangaon over remuneration, after staff who were to be paid ₹1,500 were initially offered ₹1,000. The issue was later resolved following the intervention of teachers’ unions.