YSRCP Questions 681 ‘Others’ Votes Against Just 14 Registered Voters in Pulivendula

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Sunday questioned the polling figures in Pulivendula, alleging a major discrepancy in the number of votes recorded under the ‘Others’ category and demanding an explanation from election officials.

In a post on X, the party shared a report of the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission and questioned how 681 votes were recorded under the ‘Others’ category when the corresponding voter list reportedly contained only 14 voters. According to the figures cited by the party, the total number of votes polled stood at 54,532. Raising concerns over the mismatch, the YSRCP asked, “How can 14 voters cast 681 votes?” and demanded an immediate explanation and a comprehensive examination of the polling data.

The allegation comes amid a series of complaints by the party over alleged irregularities during the municipal polling process in Pulivendula. YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met the Returning Officer (RO) and submitted a representation seeking intervention to ensure a fair polling process.

Jagan alleged that around 70 YSRCP polling agents were prevented from entering polling booths and claimed that TDP workers forcibly dragged party agents out of polling stations. He further accused ruling party workers of occupying booths from 4 am and intimidating voters.

The former Chief Minister also alleged that YSRCP chairperson candidate Pramilamma was attacked, while polling agent Sunanda sustained a fractured hand. He claimed that voters were prevented from entering polling stations, women were threatened and voter slips were forcibly snatched away. He also alleged that bogus voting took place before genuine voters arrived at the polling stations.

Questioning the role of the police, Jagan accused personnel of supporting TDP workers, obstructing YSRCP polling agents and resorting to lathi-charge at several locations. He further alleged that a YSRCP councillor candidate was forcibly taken into a police jeep.

Describing the developments as an attack on democratic principles, Jagan accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of widespread electoral malpractice. After meeting the Returning Officer, he staged a sit-in protest outside the RO's office, demanding justice for the party's polling agents.

The YSRCP has sought a detailed inquiry into the alleged polling irregularities and clarification from election authorities over the discrepancy in the voting figures. The allegations are yet to be independently verified.