Hyderabad, Dec 1 (UNI) About 3.10 per cent of the total more than 74 lakh voters have exercised their franchise during the first two hours in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) election which is in progress on Tuesday.
The polling which started at 7 am, will end at 6 pm.
As many as 74,44,260 voters including 35,65,896 women, were eligible to exercise their franchise at 9,101 polling stations set up in 2937 locations to elect their representatives in the 150 wards, which consists of four districts -Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medchal–Malkajigiri, and Sangareddy.
The State Election Commission (SEC) had decided to conduct the poll with ballot papers after obtaining the views of major political parties and the health department in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and taking into consideration various relevant issues.
The SEC has made elaborate arrangements for a free and fair poll by deploying 48,000 polling personnel (including reserve) and 52,500 strong police force.
In all,1,122 candidates, including the ruling TRS which is the only party, contesting in all the 150 wards in the election. Except Nawabsahebkunta ward, BJP too is contesting from remaining 149 wards while the Congress party is contesting in 146 awards except in four wards - Talabchanchalam, Barkas, Golconda and Tolichowki.TDP is contesting in 106 wards, followed by AIMIM- 51, CPI- 17, CPI-M- 12, other registered parties- 76 and as many as 415 independents are in the fray.
IT and industries minister KT Rama Rao casted his vote and Hyderabad MP and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi exercised his franchise at St. Faiz school in Shastripuram.
Reports said, the Low turnout was recorded at Somajiguda polling station during morning hours. A total of 64 voters exercised their franchise till 9am.
Actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj has declared his support for Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the GHMC election.
He appealed to people of Hyderabad to vote for harmony and not divisive politics. "Dear Hyderabadis your power your right..and your conscience..to decide. Do you want peaceful Hyderabad. .#GHMCElections.. please vote for harmony..not divisive politics..I stand with #TRS..#KCR #KTR," he tweeted.
Telugu actor Charanjeevi casts his vote at a polling booth in Jubilee Hills Club.
Union Minister of state for Home G Kishan Reddy also casted his vote. TJS leader Kodandram casted his vote at a polling booth in Tarnaka.
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