Tirupati Gears for Counting of Votes Amid Tight Security

Tirupati: The temple city of Tirupati and surrounding areas are under a tight security blanket as the authorities gear up for the counting of votes at Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV) on Tuesday amidst simmering tensions following incidents of violent clashes in the aftermath of the recent elections.

A day after polling, several instances of post-election violence rocked the region, with the most high-profile being an alleged attack on the vehicle of Pulivarthi Nani, the Telugu Desam (TD) party’s candidate from Chandragiri Assembly constituency. As a preventive measure, police have arrested 141 individuals implicated in the post-poll unrest and opened 54 criminal records against identified troublemakers.

A multi-layered security cordon has been established around the counting centre at the SPMVV campus. About 25 check-posts have been established at all entry and exit points along the routes leading up to the centre's inner and outer cordons. "The strong rooms containing EVMs will be opened at 7 am on June 4th in the presence of candidates from various segments under the Tirupati LS constituency," informed District Collector Praveen Kumar while briefing the media on the arrangements.

The Collector added that counting would commence promptly an hour later with roughly 2,200 polling personnel deployed for the exercise, all of whom have undergone specialised training over the past few days. 164 CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure real-time monitoring of the entire counting process.

Meanwhile, the city police have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144, restricting movement and public gatherings in Tirupati and surrounding areas. More than 2,500 personnel from state police and Central security forces have been mobilised in one of the largest such deployments witnessed in the region.

"We are keeping a very close watch on hotels, lodges, and residential areas as instructions have been issued to all parties to refrain from any sort of rallies, celebrations, or protests until results are formally declared," warned Tirupati Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Harshavardhan Raju, making it clear that any violations would be dealt with strictly.

Recognising potential threats to candidates' safety, personal security details have been assigned to monitor their residences 24/7 via CCTV surveillance. Escorts and shadow teams will also accompany candidates during the tallying process. Particular focus is being given to the Chandragiri assembly segment, which has been identified as a potential trouble spot.