After creating a history of sorts by conducting polling till midnight, the total polling recorded was 76.69% in the State. Both Vizianagaram and Prakasam districts recorded 85% polling, while Kadapa and Visakhapatnam registered 70%. In comparison, the total polling was 74% in combined Andhra Pradesh in 2014 general elections. In residuary Andhra Pradesh, the turnout was 76.80%.
Releasing the details of polling on Friday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gopal Krishna Dwivedi said the total polling was 71.43% by 6 p.m. and touched 76.69 by end of polling. Following recommendations from Guntur District Collector, the proposals were sent to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct re-poll in polling station No 244 in Guntur (West) Assembly Constituency and polling station number 94 in Narasaraopet Assembly Constituency.
Mr. Dwivedi thanked the electors for exercising their franchise enthusiastically. He also thanked the officials, police, election staff, CRPF forces, political parties, NCC, contesting candidates and all departments that extended their cooperation in smooth conduct of the polls.
The polling concluded around midnight in some polling stations in Guntur, Krishna, Nellore and other districts as the authorities allowed the voters standing in queues at 6 p.m. to cast their vote.
Technical glitches in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) delayed the process, and many electors could not exercise their franchise. In some areas, the electors went to the polling stations more than four times expecting that the technical glitches would have been rectified but in vain
TDP national president N. Chandrababu Naidu gave a call to the voters to go back to the polling stations and exercise their franchise. The people turned up in good numbers in the evening.
Counting
Meanwhile, arrangements for the counting are being made. The counting centres would be set up in colleges and university campuses. Depending upon the district and requirement, the counting centres would range between one and six for each district. The counting would take place at 55 centres located at 34 locations. The counting is scheduled for May 23.