Chittoor Prepares for Vote Counting, Nagari Result Expected First

 Tirupati: Excitement is building in erstwhile Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh with the crucial assembly election results expected on June 4. All eyes are on results the 14 assembly constituencies in the undivided district are going to yield, amidst speculation that Nagari could be the first constituency to declare its outcome.

While Nagari had 229 polling stations, only seven candidates are on the contestants list. Though Chittoor and Thamballapalle had fewer polling stations, 13 candidates are in fray from these constituencies.

With the vote counting process spanning 17 rounds in the three segments, it is believed Nagari result will be our first, followed by Chittoor and Thamballapalle.

Counting in the erstwhile Chittoor district will commence at 8 a.m., with postal ballots being counted first. Counting votes from EVMs will start from 8:30 a.m. Each constituency will have a minimum 14 counting tables. The number of counting tables may increase based on factors like number of polling booths and candidates.

According to official sources, the count in Kuppam is estimated to be completed in under 19 rounds. Punganur, Madanapalle and GD Nellore will require 19 rounds of counting. Tirupati and Satyavedu count may stretch to 20. Counting in Srikalahasti, Piler, Palamaner and keenly-watched Chandragiri (395 polling booths) is likely to be wrapped in the 21st round.

Officials estimate that each round of counting will take 25 minutes. Thus, 4–5 rounds are expected to be completed by 10:30–11 a.m., giving a fair indication of potential winners. Final results, however, will be available only after tallying the VVPAT slips against the EVM counts. The Returning Officer will thereafter issue the coveted certificate to the winning candidates.

Chittoor collector and district election officer Sagili Shanmohan pointed out that depending on the turnout in a constituency, EVM vote counting will be spread over 17 to 21 rounds.