Andhra Pradesh Civic Polls: TDP Leads Early Amid Counting Delays
As counting begins for the Andhra Pradesh civic elections, TDP takes an early lead while delays occur due to Cyclone Murasu and missing keys.
TDP leads in early trends across multiple wards in Andhra Pradesh.
Counting delays reported in Ongole and Nellore due to Cyclone Murasu.
High voter turnout of 60.96% recorded across 91 urban local body polls.
In the ongoing civic elections in Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has taken an early lead in several wards as counting commenced on November 3, 2026. The elections have been marked by significant delays, particularly in Ongole and Nellore, where the counting process was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Murasu. The State Election Commission (SEC) has been closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that counting resumes smoothly despite the challenges.
The counting in Ongole, originally scheduled for 8 a.m., began at noon due to the cyclone's impact, which hindered staff from reaching the counting centers. Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla confirmed that while the first round of counting took longer than expected, measures have been implemented to expedite subsequent rounds. He assured the public that the final results would be announced by 6 p.m. on the same day.
In the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections, the TDP, Jana Sena Party (JSP), and CPI(M) have all secured victories in their respective wards. Notably, TDP candidate Ippaka Varalakshmi won in Ward No. 1, while JSP candidate Anga Sandhya Rani claimed victory in Ward No. 75. The CPI(M) also made its mark by winning Ward No. 105. These results reflect a competitive landscape as the NDA coalition aims to consolidate its power in the region.
The civic elections have not been without controversy. Ashutosh Ranka from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alleged booth capturing and electoral malpractices through a video posted on social media. Additionally, tensions flared at the Kuppam counting center, where supporters of TDP and YSRCP clashed over alleged counting manipulations. However, officials managed to maintain order without any significant incidents.
Looking ahead, the SEC is expected to release final results for all wards by the evening, with ongoing monitoring to address any further issues that may arise. The high voter turnout of 60.96% across the 91 urban local body polls indicates strong public engagement, setting the stage for a potentially transformative local governance landscape in Andhra Pradesh.
