In the latest development, the Election Commission of India (EC) has decided to conduct re-polling in two more booths under Chandragiri assembly constituency, which falls in Chittoor district. With this, a total of seven polling booths will go for re-polling in Chandragiri on May 19.
EC took the decision following an appeal for re-poll by YSRCP contestant Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, who had filed a complaint with AP's Chief Electoral Officer Gopala Krishna Dwivedi earlier this month, alleging that the TDP resorted to malpractice on the day of polling. He alleged that the TDP denied voters belonging to a particular community from casting their votes.
Authorities had submitted a report on the alleged malpractices along with CCTV footage, following which the EC took the decision.
Chandragiri witnessed an intense battle between Chevireddy and Pulivarthi Nani from TDP.
The earlier decision of conducting re-poll in five booths viz. Kammapalli, SR Kammapalli, Pulivartivaripalle, Venktramapuram and Kotha Kandriga came after YSRCP’s appeal. Meanwhile, the latest decision to include two more booths viz. Kaluru and Kuppam Baduru, comes after the TDP reached out to the EC.
Earlier on May 6 also, re-polling was held in five polling booths of Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts, as the respective booths saw violence and alleged malpractices.
As many as 175 assembly constituencies and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh which went for simultaneous polls on April 11, are awaiting the announcement of results on May 23.
District authorities said that necessary arrangements have been made to conduct peaceful re-polling. The re-polling will begin at 7am and continue till 5pm.
Meanwhile, YSRCP National General Secretary Vijaya Sai Reddy has appealed to the EC to deploy additional central forces during counting on May 23. He has also sought action against Chittoor Collector Pradyumna and Returning Officer of Raptadu constituency alleging that both these officials favoured the TDP.