First-Ever Fully Online Voting Marks Historic Milestone
The elections for 13 member posts of the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC) concluded on Tuesday, recording an approximate 55 per cent voter turnout. For the first time in its history, the council conducted the entire election process through an e-voting system, enabling doctors to participate from anywhere, including via mobile phones.
Top Three Candidates Secure Highest Votes
According to reports, Kola Alekhya emerged as the top vote-getter with 10,293 votes. She was followed closely by Bolla Mounila, who secured 10,189 votes, and Manish Mandal, who garnered 10,123 votes. These candidates were among the 13 elected members declared successful in the polls.
Elections Held After Nearly Two Decades
The election process was conducted after a gap of almost 20 years, marking a significant development in the governance of the state’s medical regulatory body. The long-awaited polls were scheduled with online voting held on February 9.
Results Announced at Tadepalli
The results were officially declared by the Returning Officer and Director of Secondary Health, KVN Chakradhar Babu, in the presence of Secretary (Medical and Health) Saurabh Gaur at Tadepalli. Certificates were presented to the winning candidates during the announcement ceremony.
Over 56,000 Doctors Eligible to Vote
A total of 56,156 doctors were registered as eligible voters across Andhra Pradesh. Out of these, 30,773 doctors cast their votes through the e-voting system, accounting for approximately 55 per cent participation.
84 Candidates Contested for 13 Posts
The election witnessed active participation, with 84 candidates contesting for the 13 elected positions. Each voter was allowed to cast votes for up to 13 candidates, resulting in a total of 3,15,745 votes being polled. Candidates with the highest cumulative votes were declared elected.
Technical Support Through ‘APMC Chunav Bot’
Speaking to TNIE, Returning Officer Chakradhar Babu stated that comprehensive technical support was provided to voters through helplines and the ‘APMC Chunav Bot.’ These measures were implemented to ensure smooth and transparent voting.
Strong Engagement Despite Busy Schedules
Officials noted that despite demanding work schedules and even overseas commitments, many doctors registered and participated in the online process. The turnout reflects significant engagement from the medical community and marks a new chapter in the digital transformation of professional body elections in the state.
