Koraput, Oct 28: Political activity has intensified in Nandapur block of Koraput district ahead of the panchayat elections scheduled to be held in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on November 3. Candidates and their supporters have reportedly begun campaigning in villages along the Odisha-Andhra border, triggering concerns over voters whose names allegedly appear on electoral rolls in both states.

The Odisha administration has stepped up vigilance in the border areas amid allegations that candidates are persuading such voters to cast their votes in Andhra Pradesh.

Election posters of Andhra Pradesh candidates were reportedly found on the walls of houses in Jarai and Pradhaniput villages under Panthlung panchayat. The posters were subsequently removed on the instructions of the local sarpanch. However, Nandapur Tehsildar Debabrata Maharana denied reports of such posters, leading to differing views in the area.

To assess the situation and raise awareness among residents, Nandapur Block Development Officer (BDO) Durgaprasad Dora, Tehsildar Debabrata Maharana and Padua police station officer-in-charge Tuna Pidika visited several border villages.

During the visit, officials informed residents about various welfare schemes and benefits provided by the Odisha government. They also urged people not to participate in the elections being held in Andhra Pradesh.

Officials said they were keeping a close watch to ensure that no polling booth for the Andhra Pradesh elections was set up within Odisha's territory.

According to reports, more than 30 villages across Bilaput, Panthlung, Golur, Chatua, Paraja Badapada, Kularsingh and Khinbar panchayats in Nandapur block share a border with Andhra Pradesh.

Many residents of these villages maintain family and business ties with Andhra Pradesh and depend on cross-border connections for their livelihoods.

There have been allegations that Andhra Pradesh is attracting residents by providing facilities such as Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, ration benefits, pensions, and access to education and healthcare.

Earlier, reports emerged that residents of Raipahad village under Golur panchayat had received housing, electricity, drinking water and pension benefits from Andhra Pradesh. Following bilateral discussions between administrative officials of the two states, Andhra Pradesh reportedly stopped claiming the village as its own.

However, the presence of identity documents and access to government benefits from both states among some border residents continues to raise concerns, particularly during election periods.