The polling to 18 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha constituency has begun this morning amidst tight security arrangements. The police took all the constituencies where by-polls are underway into their control. Security cameras are arranged and all steps were taken to ensure smooth polling.

Talking on the same, the chief electoral officer Banwarlal has said that the polling was going on smoothly. He said at some centres EVMs troubled and out of 5413 by-poll booths, EVMs were changed at 16 centres.

Narasannapeta recorded highest polling in first one hour—13%. He has also ensured that there were no EVM problems at any polling centres. By 11 AM, the total polling per centage was around 25 per cent.

The highest polling per centage was recorded at Prattipadu. In first four hours, the constituency recorded over  50 per cent. In most of the places, the poll per centage was more than 40%. In Emiganuru, the polling was recorded at 45%, in Railway Koduru it was 36, Rajampeta-37, Tirupati-34%,  Udayagiri-43%, Ongone-40% and Rayachoti 40.4%.

(Phani)