{
  "id": 17653817,
  "title": "GVMC polls: smooth polling experience for senior citizens, first-time voters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/gvmc-polls-smooth-polling-experience-for-senior-citizens-first-time",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T18:21:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/gvmc-polls-smooth-polling-experience-for-senior-citizens-first-time-voters/article71653537.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) ensured a smooth voting experience for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and first-time voters during the recent urban local body elections held on Sunday across Visakhapatnam city. Most senior citizens found the process trouble-free, with staff members offering guidance. Finding the correct polling station initially posed a challenge for some, but it was swiftly addressed by the staff.\n\nPolling stations were equipped with drinking water, help desks, medicine counters, toilets, tents, and facilities like ramps, handrails, and chairs tailored for senior citizens. Police personnel managed the crowds, while food provisions were arranged for the election staff. At Yendada in Ward 11, around 300 voters arrived within the first hour, with residents of settled localities contributing significantly higher turnout compared to those residing in apartment complexes. Similar patterns were noted at other polling stations around the city.\n\nIn Ward 3 of Bheemunipatnam, BLO N. Narendra reported a hassle-free voting process. The Auxiliary Nurse Midwife N.V. Padma and ASHA worker G. Konda confirmed that essential medicines, including oral rehydration salts (ORS) sachets, paracetamol, and a blood pressure monitor, were readily available. Young first-time voter Elisha Paul K, pursuing an MBA from Andhra University, was pleasantly surprised by the quick and efficient polling process, which took less than 15 minutes.\n\nHowever, at Chepala Thimmapuram in Ward 5, the situation was different, with long queues persisting past noon. Senior citizen Jaya Kumar, who faces mobility issues, encountered difficulties with the ramp occupied by voters and an unused wheelchair. The on-duty staff directed him to navigate around the building using stairs at the opposite end. District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore emphasized the importance of ensuring voters faced no inconvenience, while GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg directed the speedup of ballot paper distribution due to the congested situation.\n\nElection observers A. Bhargav Tej and P.V. Sandeep Reddy toured all 10 zones and expressed satisfaction over the smooth and peaceful polling.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}