Visakhapatnam, ASR districts assess local poll readiness

Visakhapatnam Collector Abhishikth Kishore, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and other officials participating in a video conference on local body elections convened by State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. | Photo credit: negotiable

Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district administrations reviewed preparedness for the local body elections after a video conference on Thursday in which State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha reviewed arrangements across the state.

Addressing the Collectors, Superintendents of Police and District level officers from the Amaravati office of the Commission, Mr. Punetha asked the districts to be prepared in view of the election notification which is expected soon. During the conference, there was a presentation on election management.

Anil Chandra Punetha, State Election Commissioner (SEC) Andhra Pradesh. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Mr. Punetha asked all districts to make advance arrangements for polling stations, staff, election material and logistics. Collectors have been told to expedite the reorganization of wards in urban areas as per the court’s directions and complete voter registration processes as directed. The police were asked to identify sensitive and vulnerable areas in advance and all electoral service personnel were to be trained. District proposals were to be submitted to the commission for a rolling vote.

Visakhapatnam Collector Abhishikth Kishore said that a review meeting with the officials has already been held and the administration is ready to conduct the surveys smoothly once the notification is issued. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ketan Garg, other commissioners and Zilla Parishad Deputy General Manager Raj Kumar attended the conference.

In the ASR district, officials reviewed the arrangements after the conference and were directed to initiate precautionary measures and ensure inter-departmental coordination. 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 were present.

The Commissioner cautioned the public and officials against unofficial poll schedules and rumors on social media, saying only notifications and instructions issued by the Commission are authentic.

Published – 8 Oct 2026 19:11 IST