Violence, heavy turnout mark Seemandhra polls

Thousands of voters have lined up at 40,709 polling booths across 13 districts of Seemandhra region where polling is on for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats.

According to Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal, 33 per cent polling was recorded till 11 AM on Thursday. About 15 per cent electors have cast their votes in the first two hours and the pace increased further till 11 AM. Highest turnout, till 11 AM, was witnessed in Kurnool where 41 per cent electors cast their votes.

Meanwhile, more than 20 people were injured in clashes between activists of rival parties at different places. Six people were injured in a clash between YSR Congress Party and Telugu Desam Party activists in Parachur in Prakasam district. Three police vehicles were also damaged in an attack by villagers in Devagudi in Jammalamadugu of Kadapa district.

Clashes between YSRCP and TDP activists were also reported from Anantapur, Chittoor and Guntur districts.

Director General of Police B Prasada Rao said that barring sporadic incidents of violence at some places, the polling is going on peacefully in Seemandhra region. He informed that over 100,000 police personnel and 272 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed to ensure peaceful conduct of elections.