Polling peaceful, sans isolated incidents of violence

Hyderabad, July 29 (UNI) A Congress worker was killed as stray incidents of violence marred the first phase of elections to 6,545 Gram Panchayats and 65,846 wards in 26 revenue divisions of 22 districts in Andhra Pradesh today.

About 78 per cent polling was reported and it was peaceful except isolated incidents of violence.

M Narayana,a Congress worker, succumbed to his injuries sustained in a group clash at Degarmudi village in Prakasam District.

Police opend fire at Alaruddinne village in Kurnool district and at Nallur in Anantapur district to disperse clashing groups.

Rival groups threw stones at each other and also hurled bombs in Khambampadu village in Guntur disrict and in Moilacheruvu village in Kadapa district.

State Election Commission officials said the highest polling percentage was reported from Gram Panchayats in Nalgonda with 89 per cent, while Karimnagar had the lowest 70.52 per cent polling.

Police said 27 incidents of electoral malpractices, including snatching of ballot boxes and papers, pouring of water or ink into ballot boxes were reported from different parts of state.

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