Visakhapatnam, ASR districts review preparedness for local body polls

The district administrations of Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) have reviewed preparedness for the local body elections, following a video conference on Thursday in which State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha took stock of arrangements across the State.

Addressing Collectors, Superintendents of Police and district-level officers from the Commission’s office in Amaravati, Mr. Punetha asked the districts to be ready in view of the election notification expected shortly. A presentation on election management was made during the conference.

Mr. Punetha asked all districts to make advance arrangements for polling stations, personnel, election material and logistics. Collectors were told to expedite ward reorganisation in urban areas in keeping with court directions and to complete electoral roll processes as per guidelines. The police were asked to identify sensitive and vulnerable areas in advance, and all personnel on election duty were to be trained. District-wise proposals for phased polling, were to be submitted to the Commission.

In Visakhapatnam, Collector Abhishikth Kishore said a review meeting with officials had already been held and that the administration was ready to conduct the polls smoothly once the notification was issued. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ketan Garg, Additional Commissioners and Zilla Parishad Deputy Chief Executive Officer Raj Kumar attended the conference.

In ASR district, officials reviewed arrangements after the conference and were directed to initiate advance measures and ensure coordination among departments. Joint Collector Tirumani Sri Pooja, Additional Superintendent of Police Sruthi, District Panchayat Officer Chandrasekhar, Divisional Panchayat Officer Kumar, District Development Officer Jayaprakash and Mandal Parishad Development Officers took part.

The Commissioner cautioned the public and officials against unofficial poll schedules and rumours on social media, stating that only notifications and guidelines issued by the Commission were authentic.