Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Monday asserted that polling booths for the upcoming local body by-elections were established strictly in line with the Election Commission’s model code of conduct, without any intervention from the state government or the Chief Minister.

Addressing reporters at the Secretariat’s publicity wing, she said notifications inviting objections regarding booth locations for the Vontimitta and Pulivendula ZPTC bypolls were issued on July 17 and 19, respectively. Since no political party raised objections, the proposed booths were finalised by the Election Commission.

Anitha accused YSRCP leaders of unnecessarily politicising the matter. She informed that 15 booths have been set up in Pulivendula and 30 in Vontimitta, based on gram panchayat boundaries.

Highlighting an unusual development in Pulivendula, she said, “Elections here have always been one-sided, but this time, 11 nominations have been filed — proof that the process is democratic.” She added that strict security and administrative arrangements have been made by revenue and police officials to ensure free and fair polling. Binding over criminals to prevent disturbances during elections was a routine measure, she noted.