Hyderabad: Municipal election polling began across Telangana on Wednesday under tight security arrangements, with voting commencing at 7 am in all polling stations across the state.
Polling staff completed all preparatory formalities before the start of voting. Officials displayed notices outside polling stations showing candidate lists and polling station limits. At 6.30 am, in the presence of polling agents, officials demonstrated empty ballot boxes and sealed them with paper seals and address tags.
Presiding officers and polling agents signed the proceedings immediately after sealing. Officials allowed voters into polling stations exactly at 7 am to cast their votes. Polling will continue until 5 pm. However, officials will permit voters already inside polling stations to vote even after the deadline if queues remain.
A total of 8,191 polling stations have been set up across the state. Election authorities deployed webcasting facilities at every polling station to ensure constant monitoring.
Municipal election polling covers 2,981 wards and divisions
Elections are underway in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, covering 2,981 wards and divisions. As many as 12,944 candidates are contesting the elections, while 51,17,413 voters will decide their fate.
The state deployed more than 41,000 polling personnel to manage the election process. Officials confirmed that webcasting facilities were operational at all polling stations to maintain transparency.
All major political parties treated the elections as a prestige issue. The Congress fielded 2,948 candidates, the BRS 2,879, the BJP 2,634, Jana Sena 332, AIMIM 282, and others, including independents, 3,034 candidates.
The electorate includes 26,67,025 women voters, outnumbering 25,49,750 male voters. Another 638 voters fall under the ‘others’ category.
The Telangana State Election Commission deployed 41,773 polling personnel and arranged 16,382 ballot boxes for the elections. Officials scheduled vote counting for the 13th of this month. Indirect elections for mayors, deputy mayors, municipal chairpersons, and vice-chairpersons will take place on the 16th.