YSRCP Demands Re-Polling in Pulivendula Amid Agent Obstruction

Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh, November 1: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, chief of the YSRCP, sat on a dharna at the Returning Officer's office and demanded re-polling in Pulivendula. He said his party's polling agents were being kept out of polling stations in the constituency, leaving 70 of the 80 booths without YSRCP agents.

Reddy described the situation as a serious threat to the electoral process. He asked media persons to film the forms of polling agents, stating that these individuals were meant to be present inside polling stations to ensure transparency.

He questioned how voters could be identified if opposition agents were barred from sitting inside booths. He alleged that some agents had been forcibly pulled out of polling stations, while others were not allowed to enter at all.

According to Reddy, TDP workers had taken control of polling booths from 4 am on Sunday, both outside and inside. He alleged that police were supporting the TDP, with officers sometimes taking agent forms and refusing entry. He further claimed that TDP supporters had beaten agents, sent them away and torn up their papers, while police officials remained passive observers.

He also said that hundreds of people were holding sticks and stones near the booths. Journalists had been attacked, and video cameras had been damaged and broken, he said, all in the presence of officials.

Reddy added that in 17 of the 100 municipalities, nominations were not allowed to be filed by the opposition, and candidates were declared unopposed. He said Pulivendula, Kharappa, Jammalamadugu, Chittoor, Macherla, Chilakaluripet, Tadipatri, Madanapalle, Chemkurthy and Kuppam were all facing similar conditions on polling day.

He asked why elections were being held if free and fair polls were not being allowed, suggesting that officials should simply nominate people to posts. He demanded fair conditions, including the opportunity for nomination and free participation for all candidates.