Guard every vote in counting: Sajjala

Tadepalli, Nov 2: YSRCP State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy called upon party leaders and counting agents to remain fully alert during the November 3 municipal election counting and ensure that every vote is protected. He also directed the party to intensify preparations for the ZPTC and MPTC elections scheduled for November 5.

During a teleconference with district presidents, MLAs and Assembly constituency coordinators, Sajjala said every vote, ward and division was important to the party. He said the ruling TDP had misused the administrative machinery from the nomination stage through polling, with nomination rejections, forced withdrawals, pressure on candidates and attempts at bogus voting.

Sajjala said the party had already taken evidence of electoral irregularities to the national level and before the Supreme Court. Despite difficult conditions, YSRCP cadres had remained united and fought with discipline, he said, adding that the local elections should also be used to assess cadre strength, public sentiment and organisational preparedness ahead of future elections.

He instructed counting agents to closely monitor the counting of Mayor and Municipal Chairperson votes along with ward and division results. Agents must verify whether CCTV cameras are installed and functioning at counting centres, whether every table is properly recorded, and whether ballot-box seals and polling-agent signatures remain intact. Any discrepancy must be immediately recorded through a written objection.

Agents were also told to carefully monitor ballot sorting and vote bundles, preserve copies of complaints, remain inside counting centres until final results are declared and documents verified, and immediately inform senior party leaders and the State Election Commission of any improper action.

Sajjala said similar vigilance must continue through the November 5 ZPTC and MPTC polling and the November 7 counting. He stressed that every vote and every seat secured under difficult conditions would strengthen the party, and urged cadres not to be discouraged by results but to protect every vote until the process is complete.