Vijayawada, 1 November (H.S.): Andhra Pradesh recorded an average voter turnout of 37.13 per cent in the urban local body elections till 1 pm on Sunday, with Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat among those who exercised their franchise and appealed to citizens to participate in the democratic process.

Governor Abdul Nazeer, accompanied by his wife Sameera Nazeer, cast his vote at a polling station in Governorpet (60th Division) in Vijayawada. He urged every citizen to exercise their voting right responsibly.

Meanwhile, Sribharat voted at Visakha Seva Sadhan School polling station in Visakhapatnam and expressed concern over the relatively low turnout in the city. Referring to the polling percentage at around noon, he said it was slightly below 20 per cent and appealed to youngsters, senior citizens and other voters to come out and exercise their franchise.

The MP said municipal bodies played an important role in addressing everyday civic issues, including roads, drainage, sanitation, waste management, street lighting and CCTV facilities. He urged citizens to recognise the importance of local governance and participate in the electoral process.

Emphasising that democratic progress required public participation, Sribharat said voters should turn out in numbers comparable to those witnessed during the general elections.

According to poll officials, the statewide turnout stood at 37.13 per cent at 1 pm. Kanigiri Municipality in Markapuram district recorded the highest polling percentage at 61.85 per cent, followed by Nagari at 60.81 per cent and Jammalamadugu at 51.86 per cent.

Among municipal corporations, Vijayawada recorded the highest turnout at 36.40 per cent, followed by Anantapur at 32.60 per cent, Tirupati at 32.57 per cent, Kadapa at 30.75 per cent and Visakhapatnam at 27.55 per cent.

Eluru Municipal Corporation recorded a voter turnout of 37 per cent till noon, with polling progressing peacefully, according to the information provided by officials.

Polling began at 7 am and is scheduled to continue until 5 pm across 92 urban local bodies, comprising 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats.

More than 36,000 police personnel have been deployed across 4,372 polling locations to maintain law and order. The deployment follows minor clashes between Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) workers during the nomination phase.

Repolling, if required, is scheduled for November 2, while counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on November 3.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar