Suryaa News Desk: NTR District Collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha announced that all arrangements have been finalized for the transparent and peaceful counting of ZPTC and MPTC votes. The counting process for 16 ZPTC and 276 MPTC seats is scheduled for Saturday across nine designated centers in the district.

Officials have set up 18 counting halls equipped with 281 tables and necessary infrastructure. Approximately 1,500 counting supervisors, assistants, and support staff have been appointed, while 1,500 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. Counting staff have received training on election rules and procedures.

Collector Dr. Lakshmisha, accompanied by ZP CEO P. Susheela, Vijayawada RDO Vennela Srinu, and Returning Officer K.V.S.R. Ravikumar, inspected the Vijayawada Rural counting center at the Old Montessori College auditorium. The inspection covered counting halls, barricades, entry and exit routes, CCTV cameras, and utility provisions such as power and water. The Collector also reviewed postal ballot arrangements at the Jaggayyapeta MPDO office and inspected the counting center at SGS College, which will cover the Jaggayyapeta, Penuganchiprolu, and Vatsavai mandals.

The counting process will take place at nine centers:

Tiruvuru (Vahini Institute of Science and Technology): A. Konduru, Vissannapeta, Tiruvuru, and Gampalagudem mandals.

Vijayawada Sub-Collector Office/Old Montessori College: Vijayawada Rural mandal.

Kuntamukkala (Lakkireddy Hanimireddy Government Degree College): G. Konduru mandal.

Mylavaram (Lakkireddy Hanimireddy Indoor Stadium): Mylavaram and Reddigudem mandals.

Kondapalli (ZP Girls High School): Ibrahimpatnam mandal.

Jaggayyapeta (SGS College): Jaggayyapeta, Penuganchiprolu, and Vatsavai mandals.

Nandigama (ZP High School): Nandigama mandal.

Nandigama (KVR Degree College): Chandarlapadu mandal.

Kanchikacherla (Market Yard): Kanchikacherla and Veerullapadu mandals.

Counting is set to begin at 8:00 AM on Saturday. Staff are required to report to their centers between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM, while counting agents must arrive by 7:00 AM. Officials stated that ballot papers will be sorted according to regulations, and ZPTC and MPTC votes will be counted simultaneously. Results will be officially announced by returning officers only after thorough verification of each round.

Special arrangements have been made for media personnel, including dedicated rooms at each center. Media coverage will be permitted from designated areas, with limited access for filming inside the halls. The Collector emphasized that only authorized individuals with identification cards will be allowed entry and urged all parties to cooperate to ensure a peaceful process.