Farmers cast their votes till 8 p.m in Kakinada, boats deployed for voters in Konaseema

Polling for the MPTC/ZPTC elections continued until 8 p.m. in many parts of Kakinada district on Thursday, as farmers and agriculture labourers turned up at polling station after they returned from their fields, which were affected by the cyclones Arnab and Murasu in Kakinada district.

Although polling was scheduled to end at 5 p.m. Those who were in queue before the deadline were allowed to cast their vote.

In Tuni mandal, where the last vote was casted at 8 p.m, the total polling percentage was 72.19. As many as 48,554 voters exercised their franchise.

The overall polling percent was 68.85% by 8 p.m. Polling was held to 20 ZPTCs and 395 MPTCs in more than 1,300 polling stations in Kakinada district. The ZPTC election was held to 20 seats. The district’s highest poll percentage of 77.49% was record in Kotananduru mandal. Polling was completed peacefully.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district recorded 62% polling to 19 ZPTCs and 372 MPTCs, across the 1,294 polling stations on Thursday. No untoward incidents were reported. Seven MPTCs were declared unanimous, while 885 candidates were in the fray for the remaining MPTCs seats.

District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar said that autorickshaws and boats had been deployed to help voters reach the designated polling booths in view of the continuous rainfall across the district. Counting will be held in Amalapuram, Kothapeta, P. Gannavaram and Ramachandpuram on November 7.