Hyderabad: First phase panchayat polling began across Telangana on Thursday, with sharp morning cold slowing the early flow of voters. Polling started at 7 a.m. and will run until 1 p.m.
The state planned elections for 4,236 gram panchayats. However, 395 villages chose their sarpanches unanimously. Five villages did not receive nominations. As a result, voting is underway in 3,834 panchayats. A total of 12,960 candidates are in the race for sarpanch posts, while 65,455 candidates are contesting ward seats. Each sarpanch seat has an average of 3.38 candidates, and each ward seat has 2.36 candidates.
Telangana panchayat polling sees tight security
Ward elections cover 37,440 seats. Of these, 9,633 seats saw unanimous selections. Voters will decide the remaining seats. The state has 56,19,430 eligible voters, including 27,41,070 men and 28,78,159 women.
Election teams set up 37,562 polling stations. State Election Commissioner Rani Kumudini said CCTV cameras are in place at all stations. She added that officials arranged webcasting at 3,461 sensitive locations. More than 70,000 personnel, including 50,000 civil police, 60 special police platoons, and fire and forest staff, are managing field duties to ensure smooth polling.
Counting will begin at 2 p.m. after polling ends. Officials will announce results today and then conduct the upa-sarpanch elections.