Hyderabad: Telangana will hold the second phase of gram panchayat elections today (Sunday) across 193 mandals. A total of 3,911 sarpanch and 29,917 ward member positions are up for grabs. Voting will take place from 7 am to 1 pm at 38,337 polling centres. Around 57,22,465 voters are eligible to cast their ballots.
The State Election Commission (SEC) confirmed that all arrangements are complete. Officials have already delivered polling materials to each location. Vote counting will begin at 2 pm, and results will be declared the same day. After that, newly elected ward members will meet to elect deputy sarpanchs.
In this phase, 12,782 candidates are contesting for sarpanch seats, while 71,071 are vying for ward member posts.
SEC deploys staff and security for second phase panchayat polls
Out of 4,333 notified panchayats, 415 sarpanch seats and 8,307 ward posts have been filled unopposed. Five panchayats and 108 wards received no nominations, while authorities postponed elections in two panchayats and 18 wards. Voting will take place in the remaining areas.
To manage the polling process, the SEC has assigned 4,593 returning officers and 30,661 staff. Additionally, 2,489 micro-observers will support the effort. Officials have allocated 40,626 ballot boxes for use in today’s vote.
Moreover, the SEC has identified 3,769 sensitive polling stations. These centres will be monitored in real time through live webcasting from a central control room.
The commission urged voters to exercise their rights without fear. It also assured the public that security and basic facilities are in place across all polling stations.