Polling for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) began on Tuesday, 1 December amid elaborate arrangements. Over 74 lakh voters will vote and decide the political fortunes of 1,122 candidates in 150 divisions. This is one of the most bitterly-fought polls for any municipal body in recent times.
The polling commenced at 7 am in 9,101 polling stations and is scheduled to conclude at 6 pm. State Election Commissioner C Parthasarthy said that all the arrangements have been made for smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections. Special care is being taken in following COVID-19 regulations.
After Telangana Minister and TRS leader, KT Rama Rao and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi casted their votes, they appealed to the people of Hyderabad to cast their vote today to strengthen democracy.
A total of 74,67,256 people are eligible to cast their votes. The electorate constitutes 38,89,637 men, 35,76,941 women and 678 others.
Polling Through Paper Ballots
The GHMC polls is being conducted through postal ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Voters identity cards have been issued. It is compulsory that the voters have to carry the Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC). Only when the voter produces their identity then only they can exercise their franchise at the polling station.
Voter slips are being distributed to all the electors by the booth-level officers. Voter slips can downloaded through GHMC app/tsec.gov.in/ghmc.gov.in.
Wearing Face Masks Mandatory
It is mandatory to wear masks for voters coming to polling stations. Authorities have made it clear that those not wearing masks will not be allowed into the polling station.
The GHMC has deployed 36,404 personnel for the polling duty. The personnel on Monday collected ballot boxes and other poll material from 30 distribution centres. They were also provided masks, sanitisers and tissues.
Director General of Police M Mahender Reddy over 50,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure polling in peaceful and free and fair manner.
VC Sajjanar, Cyberabad Police Commissioner, said 13,500 police personnel were deployed in 38 divisions falling under 19 police stations of Cyberabad police.
Sajjanar said around 20.5 lakh voters were expected to exercise their franchise in 2,569 polling stations covering 674 polling locations in Cyberabad.
A Bitter Campaign
An intense campaign for the civic body came to an end on Sunday. The campaign ended two days ago where leaders of major parties made bitter attacks on each other. While TRS wants to retain power in the municipal body, BJP is determined to Ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is looking to retain power in the municipal come to power.
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