Visakhapatnam prepares 1,990 polling stations for municipal elections

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg reviewed preparations for local elections on October 10. The administration says 1,837,901 people are eligible to vote across the city’s 120 wards.

At the Visakhapatnam meeting, Garg directed staff to study election rules and their responsibilities in advance. The city plans 1,990 polling stations, including 91 classified as hyper-sensitive, 313 sensitive, 393 critical and 1,193 normal.

Municipal officials are to coordinate security with police, particularly at higher-risk locations. The classifications form part of election preparations and do not themselves indicate that violations have occurred at those stations.

Training for returning officers and their assistants has already taken place. Sessions for presiding and polling officers are scheduled for October 13 and 14. Garg instructed staff to complete the arrangements for those sessions.

Ballot boxes and other essential materials have reached distribution centres in every zone. Material distribution facilities, secure storage rooms and counting centres have been identified. The officials responsible were directed to inspect their readiness personally.

Election transport must be arranged with APSRTC and the Transport Department. Station inspections should check drinking water, toilets, sanitation, electricity, ramps and wheelchairs.

Once the election notification is issued, officials must follow the Model Code of Conduct and other prescribed rules. Candidates are to receive guidance on nominations, election symbols, permissions and expenditure records. Garg also ordered a dedicated monitoring cell to receive and promptly resolve election complaints.