Brisk polling despite EVM snags

Tirupati: Despite the technical snags in EVMs in many places and minor incidents involving TDP and YSRCP activists clashing with each other in several places, the polling in Chittoor district went on briskly.

Interestingly, the polling which was very brisk in the beginning slowed down while in the rural dominated constituencies, the polling which was dull in the morning later picked up momentum.

Voters' enthusiasm was palpable in every polling station in the 14 Assembly constituencies in the district where people saw standing up in long queues patiently waiting to have their turn to vote.

In Settipalli polling station, police resorted to lathi charge after YSRCP and TDP workers clashed with each other to bring the situation under control. Tension prevailed for an hour after TDP activists obstructed YSRCP candidate Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy at Ravillavaripalli in Ramachandrapuram mandal, who came to observe the voting in the polling station in the village. Police intervened and forcibly dispersed TDP activists, who allegedly tried to attack Bhaskar Reddy and hurled shoes on him.

YSRCP Puthalapattu Assembly candidate MS Babu sustained injuries after he was attacked allegedly by TDP activists in Kattakindapalli in the constituency. Babu went to Kattakindapalli after his party activists complained of rigging by TDP activists, who allegedly attacked him, when he went to the village.

YSRCP activists first admitted him in Irla primary health centre and later shifted him to district hospital, Chittoor for better treatment. He is undergoing treatment in ICU in the district hospital. Meanwhile, District Collector and District Election Officer PS Pradyumna said but for the few incidents the polling was peaceful and brisk.

In the tele-conference he held with police officers an hour before the closing of the polling, the Collector urged them to deal with iron hand with anyone one trying to disturb peace and obstruct polling. He wanted them to be on high alert at the closing hours and take adequate steps for the safe return of polling personnel along with EVMs after the polling was over.