India
Cyclone Murasu Delays Municipal Vote Counting in Prakasam and Bapatla
The counting of votes for municipal elections across 92 urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh began at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to state election commission authorities. The polls were held on November 1 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an overall turnout of 60.96 percent. Repolling was conducted on November 2 in 12 wards across seven urban local bodies in five districts, recording a turnout of 60.64 percent.
The ruling NDA alliance, which includes the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena Party, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is confident that its development and welfare programmes will help its candidates win across the state. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is also contesting and hopes to secure victories in several municipalities.
Cyclone Murasu caused heavy rainfall and high‑velocity winds in Prakasam and Bapatla districts, leading to a three‑and‑a‑half hour delay in vote counting. State election commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said the district administrations could not take up counting due to disruptions in movement and transportation of counting material. The commission rescheduled the start of counting in these districts from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and warned that further decisions would be taken if the heavy rains continued.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court granted permission for the counting of votes in Pulivendula, YSR Kadapa district, after dismissing petitions filed by YSRCP candidate Y S Pramila and MP Y S Avinash Reddy. The petitioners had requested a halt to the counting process and a suspension until repolling could be completed across the municipality.
The mayoral contest in Vijayawada is closely watched, with NDA‑backed Jana Sena candidate Vangaveeti Radhakrishna, YSRCP candidate and former mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi, and independent former Director General of Police AB Venkateswara Rao vying for the post.
Of the 13 mayoral posts contested, the NDA alliance partners fielded candidates in 10 municipal corporations (TDP), two (Jana Sena), and one (BJP). The YSRCP fielded candidates in all 13 mayoral contests. Chairperson positions were elected unanimously in 17 of the 87 municipalities and nagar panchayats, with the remaining 70 seats contested. Among alliance partners, TDP candidates contested 49 chairperson positions, Jana Sena 17, and BJP 4; YSRCP fielded candidates in all 70 contested constituencies.
Frequently asked questions
Why was vote counting delayed in Prakasam and Bapatla?
Cyclone Murasu caused heavy rainfall and high‑velocity winds, disrupting movement and transportation of counting material, leading to a 3.5‑hour delay.
What was the voter turnout for the municipal elections?
The overall turnout was 60.96% across 92 urban local bodies, and 60.64% in the repolling wards.