Tirupati bypolls: Covid test, PPE suit mandatory for candidates, agents during counting of votes

Tirupati, May 1(UNI) Strict Covid norms like vaccination and Covid tests were mandatory for all agents and candidates to participate in the counting of votes polled on April 17 for the Tirupati Lok Sabha by-election tomorrow, May 2.

Returning officer KVN Chakradhar Babu said in a statement that 29 candidates including NOTA were in fray in the by-election caused due to Covid death of sitting YSRCP MP Durga Prasad Rao and 64.42 percent polling (11,02,168 votes) were recorded.

He said the RC-PCR/RAT testing facilities were available for all counting staff and those wanting to attend 48 hours ahead of the counting process as prescribed by the ECI.

All counting agents and candidates have to wear PPE suits at the counting centers at Nellore and Tirupati and 17 halls were sanitized at both places as per Covid guidelines to begin counting operations tomorrow, he said.

Nearly 1000 counting staff with 4 observers from the ECI and thereafter one micro observer for each of 17 counting halls were already in locations and geared as per Covid guidelines.

The outcome of the first parliament by-poll after YSRCP assumed power in AP will be seen as a barometer of the popularity of the ruling clique.

Besides former UPA minister Panabaka Lakshmi as TDP candidate,Dr. Chinta Mohan as congress and Dr Gurumoorthy as YSRCPnominee the other prominent candidate is K Ratna Prabha, a retired IAS from the BJP stable.

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