Andhra Pradesh reviews reports of polling incidents

Andhra Pradesh’s State Election Commission is reviewing reports of polling-related incidents in Palnadu and Anantapur and may order a repoll if district reports and other evidence substantiate complaints, Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said Sunday. Punetha said the commission had asked the district collectors and police chiefs in both districts for reports. It will examine presiding officers’ accounts and other evidence before deciding on further action. No repoll order had been announced by Sunday, and the commission’s review was still underway. The commissioner described voting in most of the state’s urban local bodies as largely peaceful, while acknowledging complaints from some areas. He said he had reviewed the situation with officials from 12 districts and that reports from Palnadu and Anantapur would receive further examination. Inspector General of Police Rajakumari said about 40 incidents connected with polling had been reported statewide and were being examined by police. She said 275 FIRs had been registered since the nomination period began. The figure covers that broader period and does not establish that all 275 cases concern polling-day incidents. Police said...