69.67% polling recorded in Anakapalli district

70% of voters cast their ballots in Anakapalli district, with peaceful polling and minor incidents reported.

About 70% of the 12.89 lakh voters across the district exercised their franchise by 8 p.m. on Monday (May 13), as per official sources. Over 75% of the 34,112 registered new voters have cast their first vote, officials said.

Polling was peaceful across the district except for minor incidents: TDP and YSRCP cadres throwing chairs at each other in the Payakaraopeta Assembly segment and former Minister Ayyannapatrudu showing his ire against the polling staff at the Narsipatnam constituency.

Although polling started late by 30-40 minutes at some polling stations, the voting started on time, at 7 a.m. at most places.

“Voters who have joined the queue lines at the polling centres before 6 p.m. are being allowed to vote,” said the Anakapalli district spokesperson of the AP State Election Commission.

By 8 p.m., the average polling in the district was 69.67%, with Anakapalli recording the highest polling of 76.58%, followed by Chodavaram (72.13%), Madugula (71%), Elamanchili (67.98%), Narsipatnam (67.95%), and Payakaraopeta (62.38%).

While Budi Mutyala Naidu, the YSRCP candidate from Anakalappli Lok Sabha segment, cast his vote in Devarapalli mandal of Anakapalli district, his opponent and BJP candidate C.M. Ramesh cast his vote at Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district.

Similarly, senior TDP leader Ayyannapatrudu casted his vote at Narsipatnam.