Municipal polling peaceful across the State, counting tomorrow

Polling for elections to the urban local bodies (ULBs), covering 113 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, passed off peacefully across the State on Wednesday, barring a few sporadic incidents such as allegations of cash distribution, minor clashes, and technical glitches in EVMs. According to official sources, the polling recorded a high voter turnout of around 68%.

Polling was conducted in 2,582 wards across 116 municipalities and in 414 wards across seven municipal corporations. Voters who were in queues before the 5 p.m. deadline were permitted to cast their votes. Young voters, first-time voters, women, and senior citizens participated in large numbers, reflecting strong enthusiasm in the civic elections.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy cast his vote at the ZP Boys High School in Kodangal of Vikarabad district, his home constituency, before returning to Hyderabad and later proceeding to New Delhi. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka exercised his franchise in Madhira, Khammam district.

Although voting began on a slow note in the morning, turnout improved steadily as the day progressed. Elections were held for 2,569 wards, while 12 wards across 116 municipalities were already declared unanimous. A total of 10,719 candidates were in the fray for these wards.

Voting took place at 6,017 polling stations across all municipalities that went to the polls. However, polling did not take place in the 6th ward of Makthal Municipality following the death by suicide of BJP candidate Mahadevappa.

In the seven municipal corporations – Karimnagar, Ramagundam, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar, Kothagudem, Mancherial, and Nalgonda – voting was conducted at 2,174 polling stations. Elections were held in 412 wards, as two corporators (one each in Mahabubnagar and Ramagundam) had been elected unanimously. A total of 2,225 candidates contested in these wards. Across all municipalities and corporations combined, the electorate comprised 52,17,413 voters.

To ensure transparency, election authorities monitored the polling process through webcasting from 8,191 polling stations. Precautionary measures were put in place to prevent any untoward incidents. After polling concluded, 137 strong rooms were secured to store ballot boxes. If necessary, re-polling may be conducted on Thursday. Counting of votes will begin at 8 a.m. on February 13, with results expected the same day.

The election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in municipalities, and Mayors and Deputy Mayors in corporations, is scheduled for February 16.

Sporadic clashes were reported at a few polling stations in the erstwhile Medak district. Tension prevailed at the 34th ward polling station in Sangareddy after TPCC working president and former MLA T. Jayaprakash Reddy (Jagga Reddy) reportedly obstructed a Circle Inspector (CI) for allegedly grabbing the shirt of a Congress candidate. A heated argument ensued, leading to a brief confrontation between the police and the Congress leader. Jagga Reddy accused the CI of facilitating rigging in favour of the BRS candidate.