VIJAYAWADA: The Phase II gram panchayat polls on Saturday passed off peacefully with just a few stray incidents. A large number of voters turned out to exercise their franchise, with the average poll percentage recorded being of 81.67.
Polling began sluggishly at 6.30 am but picked up momentum from 10.30 am onwards.
Serpentine queues could be seen at some polling stations in the state. Police personnel were seen helping aged and the differently-abled persons in casting their votes.
According to State Election Commission authorities, polling was held for 2,786 sarpanch and 20,817 ward members’ posts against total 3,328 sarpanch and 33,570 ward member seats, as some of them were either elected unanimously or no nominations were filed at certain places.
The state’s average poll percentage registered was 10.48 at 8:30 a.m., 37.67 at 10:30 a.m., 64.89 at 12:30 p.m., 76.11 at 2:30 p.m. and 81.67 on completion of voting at 3.30 pm.
Prakasam district registered the…