Bapatla: Fifty-nine squads to combat poll code breaches

All required steps are being taken to successfully apply the Model Code of Conduct as the nomination process gets underway and electioneering becomes more intense, according to Bapatla Collector Ranjit Bhasha. On Thursday, he and SP Vakul Jinal jointly hosted a news conference at the Collectorate in Bapatla.

Speaking at the event, he said that on Thursday, nominations for the Bapatla Lok Sabha seat and the seven Assembly seats—six of which are in the Bapatla district and one in the Prakasam district—started. “For the successful implementation of MCC, up to 59 teams—including 18 static surveillance teams, 29 MCC, and 18 flying squads—have been formed,” he said.

3607 of the 1,510 voting places, according to SP Vakul Jindal, have been deemed problematic. 1,100 suspected individuals and 8,500 history sheeters are being turned over as a precaution. Up to 86 permitted firearms have been turned in to the police, and more people have been granted an exemption. Unaccounted-for goods and freebies worth Rs 3.17 crore had been confiscated since the MCC went into effect, he said.