High voter turnout in MPTC/ZPTC elections across Chittoor, Annamayya, Sri Sathya Sai districts

Heavy police deployment at the MPTC/ZPTC polling station at Tadimarri, a hypersensitive area, in Sri Sathya Sai district on Thursday. | Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

High voter turnout marked the MPTC and ZPTC elections in Chittoor, Annamayya, and Sri Sathya Sai districts on Thursday (November 5, 2026), with polling largely peaceful amid elaborate security arrangements. Sri Sathya Sai district recorded 83% polling by 5 p.m., with voters still waiting in queues at several polling stations even after the scheduled closing time.

Annamayya district crossed 70% polling by 4 p.m. and Chittoor recorded 63% turnout by 3 p.m.. Voters who were in queues at the scheduled closing time were allowed to exercise their franchise. The elections covered 84 ZPTC and 1,087 MPTC seats across the three districts, with a combined electorate of 30,72,377.

An isolated incident was reported at Nadimuru in Kuppam mandal of Chittoor district, represented by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, where a TDP candidate in the contest for the MPTC was allegedly attacked and injured during a confrontation involving the YSR Congress Party supporters. The incident led to mild tension in the area. Police intervened and brought the situation under control.

Chittoor district has 27 ZPTC and 370 MPTC seats, with 10,26,823 voters. Three ZPTC seats were elected unopposed, while 300 MPTC seats went to polling. The district had 1,236 polling stations, including 366 sensitive, and 346 highly sensitive centres. Around 2,000 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order.

Annamayya has 25 ZPTC and 321 MPTC seats and 9,09,604 voters. Three ZPTC seats were elected unopposed, while 147 MPTC seats went to polling. Police had registered 31 election-related cases and arrested 51 people between October 15 and 29 as part of preventive measures.

Sri Sathya Sai district, with 32 ZPTC and 396 MPTC seats and 11,35,950 voters, recorded the highest reported turnout among the three districts. Police maintained additional security in Dharmavaram Rural, Mudigubba, Tadimarri, and Battalapalli.

Published - November 05, 2026 08:02 pm IST