Guntur Collector directs officials to safeguard election materials

District Collector and District Election Officer C.M. Saikanth Varma inspected the strong rooms and election material distribution centre in Guntur on Tuesday as part of preparations for the local body elections.

Andhra Muslim College in Guntur is being used as the distribution centre for the Guntur Municipal Corporation elections, while strong rooms and counting facilities are being arranged at the Engineering College of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU). Similar arrangements are being made at the university for the Zilla Parishad elections.

Accompanied by GMC Commissioner K. Mayur Ashok and Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer V. Jyothi Basu, the Collector directed officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements without any shortcomings.

He instructed officials to keep all election materials ready, arrange refreshments and lunch for election staff, and ensure the availability of vehicles according to designated routes. Attendance of presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and other personnel should be monitored, he said.

Mr. Varma stressed the need for smooth vehicle movement at the reception centre, adequate staff at counters and prompt submission of election materials without traffic congestion or delays. He also directed officials to ensure quality food, install CCTV cameras at strong rooms and counting halls, and establish a media centre.

He instructed officials to make advance arrangements for smooth counting of votes. Revenue Divisional Officer K. Srinivasa Rao and other departmental officials participated in the inspection.