In a shocking incident during the recent Andhra Pradesh elections, YSRCP legislator Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy was caught on camera destroying a voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine inside a polling booth in the Macharla constituency. The incident occurred on May 13, when all of Andhra Pradesh’s 25 Lok Sabha and 175 assembly constituencies went to polls.
The Viral CCTV Footage
CCTV footage from the Palvai Gate polling station in Macharla constituency shows MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy picking up a VVPAT machine and hurling it to the ground. The Election Commission confirmed that EVMs were vandalized in seven polling centers within the constituency on polling day. In response, the Election Commission has ordered strict action against the offenders.
Police Response and Controversy
Suprisingly, the local police registered an FIR without checking the CCTV footage. The FIR stated the incident some “unknown persons” trespassed into the polling station and damaged the control unit and VVPAT. Notably, the complaint filed by village revenue officer Pole Janaiah did not mention Pinnelli’s name. However, after a viral video surfaced, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar instructed the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh, Mukesh Kumar Meena, to take strict action against the MLA.
Meena stated, “Our goal was to conduct a fair and transparent election peacefully. Unfortunately, the candidate himself engaged in violence, visibly destroying the electronic voting machine. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has treated this matter seriously, and cases have been registered under 10 criminal sections. Police teams are actively searching for him, and we will arrest him.”
Attack on TDP Polling Agent
During the incident on May 13, a TDP polling agent, identified as Namburu Sheshagiri Rao, was attacked by Pinnelli supporters when he protested the EVM-smashing act. Rao filed a complaint with the police against the MLA but later went underground, fearing threats to his life from the MLA’s followers. He emerged on Wednesday after the Election Commission instructed the police to arrest Pinnelli. Meanwhile, police have sounded a high alert across Palnadu district due to the possibility of violence following the MLA’s potential arrest.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the behavior of elected representatives. As the investigation continues, citizens await further developments in this high-profile case. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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