TDP chief and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has returned from his 10-day USA tour on Wednesday, immediately focused his attention on counting of votes to be taken place on June 4. He asked the party cadre to be cautious during counting of votes and should ensure it goes on as per guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In a video conference with party candidates and incharges asking them first to ensure everything is as per procedure, instructed candidates of the party to file written complaints with the ECI immediately if any lacunas are identified.
In the case of postal ballots, he said that they should be vigilant about the activities of YCP as the ruling party seems to be in a conspiracy to set aside a maximum number of such votes without considering for counting.
Some TDP leaders have expressed suspicion that YCP leaders are showing signs of violence at the counting centers on the counting day. Chandrababu made it clear that they should not take this lightly and should immediately write letters to the DGP and ECI seeking full protection.
Chandrababu conducted a review on the party’s preparedness for counting of votes. He deplored that while ECI is expected to appoint one special observer at each assembly constituency, it seems in Rayalaseema such observers were appointed for 2 to 4 constituencies together.
According to the information collected by the TDP, one observer has been appointed for each of the 81 assembly constituencies. Only 41 people have been appointed for the remaining 94 constituencies. For example, Kurnool, Kodumur, Yemmiganoor and Mantralayam constituencies have one observer only.
In some places one observer is appointed for up to three constituencies. Chodavaram, Madugula, Anakapalli seats, Yalamanchili, Payakaraopeta, Narsipatnam, Rayadurgam, Guntakallu and Tadipatri constituencies have been given one each.
Chandrababu advised the party leaders to write a letter to the ECI seeking a change in this arrangement and appoint exactly one person for each constituency. The TDP chief directed them to conduct a special meetings to educate TDP counting agents on all aspects of vote counting.
Leaders who are Chief Election Agents in all 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies should hold a special meeting in Amaravati on Friday to inform them about the rules of counting votes in detail. He also said that similar meetings should be held at the zonal level for those who go as counting agents from each constituency.