89,124 votes appear overnight: KK Raju questions GVMC Poling

Visakhapatnam, Nov 2: YSRCP Visakhapatnam district president KK Raju raised serious doubts over the sudden increase in polling percentages in the GVMC elections and warned of legal action if election authorities failed to provide satisfactory explanations. Addressing the media after YSRCP mayoral candidate Varudu Kalyani submitted a representation to the Returning Officer, he questioned whether officials had manipulated polling figures under pressure from the ruling coalition.

KK Raju said the SEC initially reported 50.02% polling on Sunday evening. At 10:47 PM, the Collector, GVMC Commissioner and Police Commissioner announced 51.47%. However, by Monday morning, the GVMC Commissioner and I&PR website reported 56.32%, an overnight increase equivalent to 89,124 votes. He demanded an explanation for the discrepancy and complete polling records under Form 27 for all 120 divisions and 1,990 polling stations.

He criticised the failure to install CCTV cameras at every polling station despite Supreme Court guidelines and SEC directions. 

Cameras were missing until October 31, while dummy cameras were installed at certain locations under ruling-party pressure. Written complaints were ignored, with officials subsequently citing delayed Supreme Court directions.

KK Raju further questioned why strong rooms remained unsealed until 1:10 AM and why officials attempted to secure ballot boxes without candidates or polling agents present. Officials sealed the rooms only after YSRCP objections, citing communication failures and non-procurement of sealing materials.
He said the coalition resorted to intimidation, attacks and electoral malpractice out of fear of defeat, while certain officials acted as its agents. Despite YSRCP preventing several irregularities, serious doubts remained. He demanded complete polling data, clarification from the SEC and strict adherence to election procedures, warning that YSRCP would pursue legal remedies if the authorities failed to respond.