Seemandhra: Over 51% polling till 1 PM amid sporadic incidents

HYDERABAD: Over 51 per cent polling was recorded till 1 PM in Seemandhra today as impressive voter turnout was witnessed in several parts of the region, official sources said.

Barring sporadic incidents of clashes between workers of YSRCP and TDP and alleged attacks on policemen in Rayalaseema districts, polling has been largely peaceful, they said.

A senior police official said two police officers - Appal Naidu and Rajesh Kumar - came under attack and their vehicles were also damaged after a mob pelted them with stones when they tried to regulate at a polling booth in Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district.

"Stern measures will be taken against all those responsible for the incident. There will be firm action," the official said.

Polling began this morning for the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Seemandhra.

Going by the good turnout of voters in the early hours, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal said earlier in the day that he hoped that the poll percentage in Seemandhra would be around 85 per cent.

Meanwhile, the TDP has complained to the Election Commission in Delhi about the alleged attacks on policemen and media at some places and also about malfunctioning of EVMs.

Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu strongly condemned the attack on party Assembly candidates from Mydukuru and Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district by alleged workers of the YSR Congress. He also condemned the attack on police personnel at Jammalamadugu.

In a statement this afternoon, Chandrababu demanded that election authorities immediately swing into action and arrest the guilty to ensure free and fair polling.

"YSRC workers attacked the TDP candidate from Mydukuru and his family members. Same happened in Jammalamadugu. Even police officials were attacked. In many other places, YSRC workers attacked the media personnel as well. All this only out of fear of losing the elections," Chandrababu said.

Calling upon people to exercise their franchise boldly and teach a lesson to such cruel forces, the TDP leader requested the revenue and police officials to act sternly against those disturbing peace and terrorising voters.