VIJAYAWADA: Gram panchayat secretaries have appealed to the State Election Commission that funds be released to them in advance, so that they can make timely arrangements for the conduct of gram panchayat polls in Andhra Pradesh.
These officials pointed out that it is their responsibility to make all requisite arrangements at polling booths, like erection of barricades for voters to wait in a queue before voting, pitching up tents to provide them protection from sunlight and making arrangements for drinking water. As polling officials arrive at polling booths the day before polls, they have to arrange for their accommodation, food at night, tea, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the day of polling from 6.30 a.m. In addition, lights, fans, chairs, desks and voting chambers have to be organised.
A senior member from AP Panchayat Raj Secretaries Association said, “The onus for making all requisite arrangements at polling booths for conduct of polls lies with us. With no…