Guntur: Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta (IPS: 1992: AP) has directed police officials to complete preparations for the upcoming local body elections before the poll notification is issued, with emphasis on peaceful, transparent and impartial conduct of the elections.
Gupta issued the directions during a regional preparedness meeting for the general municipal elections at the Guntur police conference hall on Tuesday. Senior police officials reviewed the election preparedness across Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts.
Police Asked to Identify Sensitive Polling Areas
The DGP directed officials to identify sensitive and hyper-sensitive villages and polling stations based on incidents reported during previous elections and to begin preventive measures against potential troublemakers.
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Police were also asked to review cases involving faction-prone villages from the 2021 and 2024 election periods and take appropriate preventive action.
The instructions included intensified checks against the illegal movement of liquor and cash during the election period.
Security Deployment and Polling Logistics Reviewed
Gupta directed officials to categorise polling stations according to their vulnerability and deploy security personnel accordingly.
The police were also asked to keep route mobiles, mobile parties and striking forces ready for deployment. Security arrangements were reviewed for the transportation of ballot boxes as well as for strong rooms and counting centres.
Guntur Range IGP Sarva Shrestha Tripathi stressed the need to identify areas vulnerable to clashes and conduct cordon searches where necessary to detect illegal weapons.
Officials were also asked to monitor people involved in disturbances and take action against those found engaging in provocative activities on social media.
Police Asked to Counter Fake News and Rumours
The meeting also focused on monitoring social media for fake news, rumours and inflammatory content during the election period.
Police officials were directed to promptly clarify misinformation and coordinate with returning officers, revenue officials and municipal authorities to address election-related issues.
DGP Stresses Advance Preparedness
Gupta said preparations should be completed before the notification because the election process would have to be completed within a relatively short period after the notification is issued.
The meeting was attended by ADGP (Law and Order) N. Madhusudhana Reddy (IPS: 1997: AP), Guntur Range IGP Sarva Shrestha Tripathi (IPS: 2006: AP), DIG Fakkeerappa Kaginelli (IPS: 2011: AP) and other senior police officials. Guntur SP Vakul Jindal (IPS: 2016: AP) also briefed the DGP on the security situation in the district.
The latest meeting comes as Andhra Pradesh police step up preparations for the forthcoming local body elections, with the focus on preventive measures and security arrangements before the formal election schedule is notified.
