Synopsis: The TDP-led NDA swept several municipalities in Andhra Pradesh, winning all 32 wards in Kuppam and all 36 in Macherla, while securing majorities in Yemmiganur, Narasapuram and Palasa-Kasibugga.

Elections were held in 92 urban local bodies across Andhra Pradesh, comprising 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats and saw a turnout of 62.16 percent.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA won a string of municipal elections across Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, 3 November, with victories in Kuppam, Macherla, Yemmiganur, Narasapuram and Palasa-Kasibugga, while maintaining a commanding lead in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).

Counting began at 8 am with postal ballots, followed by the declaration of results ward by ward and division by division.

The alliance secured majorities in several municipalities, while the principal opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Congress and independent candidates were limited to a handful of seats.

Elections were held in 92 urban local bodies across Andhra Pradesh, comprising 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats.

The elections covered 3,186 wards, 804 in municipal corporations and 2,382 in municipalities and nagar panchayats.

Polling took place on 1 November, followed by repolling in select areas on 2 November.

Of the 96,89,061 registered voters, 60,22,411 cast their votes, recording a turnout of 62.16 percent.

Chimakurthi registered the highest turnout at 84.36 percent, while Tirupati recorded the lowest at 46.85 percent.

Heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Murasu disrupted counting in several coastal districts.

In Vijayawada, counting began after 2 pm and proceeded slowly because of the weather.

Counting in Chirala municipality in Bapatla district was postponed following heavy rainfall.

It is scheduled to resume on 6 November.

Heavy rain continued across the erstwhile Krishna, Guntur and Bapatla districts as Cyclone Murasu made landfall.

Authorities made contingency arrangements in affected areas.

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In Macherla, the alliance won all 36 wards, comprising 32 for the TDP, three for the Jana Sena Party and one for the BJP.

The alliance also secured 38 of the 44 wards in Yemmiganur, 31 of 36 in Narasapuram and 31 of 36 in Palasa-Kasibugga.

The results covered several regions of Rayalaseema and the coastal districts.

In the GVMC, the State's largest civic body, TDP mayoral candidate Mukka Sravani led YSRCP candidate Varudu Kalyani by 1,19,683 votes.

At 4.52 pm, of the 4,36,676 votes counted, the TDP had secured 2,56,881, against 1,37,194 for the YSRCP, 5,484 for the Congress and 37,163 for other candidates.

Of the 120 GVMC divisions where elections were held, alliance candidates won several divisions.

The alliance also maintained leads in other major urban local bodies, including Guntur, Vizianagaram, Chittoor and Kurnool.

Kovelamudi Lakshmi Anuradha in Guntur, Avanapu Bharathi in Vizianagaram, Katuri Hemalatha in Chittoor and Vijaya Pratap in Kurnool continued to lead.

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