Vote counting has begun for 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations in Telangana. Ward-wise results will be declared later in the day on the Telangana State Election Commission’s (SEC) official website. Polling was held on Wednesday and recorded a total voter turnout of 73.01%, according to the SEC. The counting process is expected to take time since ballot papers were used instead of electronic voting machines. Postal ballots were taken up first, followed by regular ballot papers. Elaborate security and administrative arrangements have been made to ensure the counting exercise is conducted smoothly and peacefully.
Voting started on Wednesday morning, February 11. The turnout was 11.6% by 9 am, 28.48% by 11 am, 48.54% by 1 pm, and 62.09% by 3 pm. By the end of the day, the final turnout stood at 73.01%.
Choutuppal in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district recorded the highest turnout among municipalities at 91.91%. Nandikonda in Nalgonda district recorded the lowest at 59.68%. Among municipal corporations, Nalgonda saw a turnout of 77.36%, while Nizamabad recorded 59.12%.
The elections were held on party lines in all 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations. As part of the preparations, 29,656 Booth Level Officers had earlier worked on updating the voter lists.
Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy monitored the polling process and said security arrangements were made across all locations.
Minor clashes were reported in Karimnagar, Sangareddy and a few other places. In Karimnagar, police carried out a mild lathi charge after BJP workers blocked a road near the bus stand, alleging impersonation at a polling booth. A few BJP workers suffered minor injuries.
In Sangareddy, Congress leader and former MLA T Jayaprakash Reddy had an argument with the police, claiming that bogus voting had taken place.
In Nizamabad, police registered an FIR against BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Telangana Municipalities Act. He was accused of entering a polling booth, arguing with staff and police personnel, and making comments against the police.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy cast his vote in Kodangal, Vikarabad district. Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar voted in Karimnagar.
State Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud expressed confidence that his party would win the polls. BJP leader and Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said the party would perform well despite allegations against the ruling party. The results are being seen as an important test for Congress, BJP and BRS.