Preparations for the upcoming GVMC general elections have intensified in Visakhapatnam, with the district administration and civic authorities fine-tuning the logistical arrangements required for polling.

The GVMC currently has 120 wards and 1,990 polling stations, covering 18,37,901 voters. The voter count includes 9,06,866 men, 9,30,916 women and 119 voters from other categories, according to GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg. Uniindia

Authorities are working on electoral rolls, polling-station arrangements, deployment and training of polling personnel, election materials, distribution centres, strong rooms and counting centres. Security arrangements are also being reviewed ahead of the polling process. Uniindia

Around 14,328 polling personnel are expected to be deployed, with an additional 20% kept in reserve. The GVMC has also submitted proposals for procuring 4,800 ballot boxes, while zone-wise distribution centres for election materials are being identified. Uniindia

Andhra University Engineering College has been identified as the location for receiving and storing election material after polling and for counting votes. Officials have also been directed to ensure basic facilities at every polling station and complete training for personnel before the elections. Uniindia

Meanwhile, political parties have been stepping up their preparations ahead of the local body elections. The YSRCP has separately raised objections concerning ward delimitation, electoral rolls and the reservation process, while the GVMC continues its administrative preparations.