Panchayat polls: YSRC takes the lead in Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, July 23, 2013: The YSR Congress surged ahead of other political parties in the first phase of panchayat polls held on Tuesday. As many as 56 candidates backed by the YSR Congress registered victory followed by 45 candidates backed by the ruling Congress, 30 by the Telugu Desam and nine by the Left parties. Over 33 independents too won in the polls.

Polls to the panchayats, coming under Paderu division, passed off peacefully. Over 70.1 per cent voting was registered in Visakhapatnam district.  Voting began at 7 am and ended by 2pm.

Tribals were seen thronging polling stations in all the 11 mandals of Paderu division, despite threats from Maoists to stay away from elections. 

The district poll authorities postponed election for three panchayats in the last minute. Polls for the three panchayats would be held in the last phase, on July 31.

At some polling stations, staff had to face trouble due to lack of proper furniture and other paraphernalia. Armed security forces, in large numbers, were seen at all polling booths to prevent untoward incidents.

While no major incidents were reported during polling, stray incidents took place during counting which began in the afternoon. Braving the inclement weather, tribals from remote hamlets reached concerned panchayat headquarters to exercise their franchise.

Officials said that the poll percentage recorded now was more than last time, which were held seven years ago. In neighbouring Viziangaram district, 90 per cent polling was registered. No untoward incidents were reported from any place in the district.