Two types of ballot papers would be used in the electoral process --pink ballot papers for election of ward members and white for the chairperson.
Kakinada:All arrangements are in place for the elections across 321 polling stations, covering 191 wards within the six municipalities of the district.
Kakinada collector Harendhira Prasad alongside SP Bindu Madhav told the media here on Thursday that 2,18,054 voters across the six municipalities are eligible to exercise their franchise on October 28, followed by the counting of votes on October 30.
Two types of ballot papers would be used in the electoral process --pink ballot papers for election of ward members and white for the chairperson.
The collector said the reservation process for the candidates has been completed. Candidates must follow the election code of conduct and should not spend more than the prescribed expenditure limit. Details related to election expenses should be submitted on time --within 45 days of the end of the polling process, failing which they may be disqualified in future elections.
Cash or gifts should not be distributed with the intention of tempting voters. Votes should not be solicited in the name of caste and religion. “We would take strong measures to conduct the elections transparently, free and impartially,” he said.
To facilitate the submission of complaints by the people and candidates regarding the elections, a 24- hour control room is being set up at the district level, in addition to dedicated control rooms at each mandal headquarters.
The contact number for the district level control room is 8978875559. Complaints including those related to the media certification and monitoring committee or other election related issues can be reported to these control rooms.
A total of 12,61,063 voters are expected to exercise their franchise across 1426 polling stations for the ZPTC and MPTC elections in the district. Out of the 43 total MPTC constituencies in the district, elections for 29 seats have been halted due to various reasons, including the ongoing court cases. Elections would be held for the remaining 401 seats.
Strongrooms and vote-counting centres for the ZPTC and MPTC elections are being set up at JNTUK in Kakinada and MR College in Peddapuram. Among 1426 polling stations, 436 have been identified as sensitive, 270 as highly sensitive, 151 as sensitive and 27 highly sensitive -- with special monitoring measures being implemented at these locations.
SP Bindu Madhav said additional forces are being deployed at sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling stations. Arrangements including CCTV surveillance and video coverage have been made to continuously monitor the conduct of the elections.
