Hyderabad: In the midst of tight security, polling commenced for the elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Tuesday.
The polling started at 7 a.m. at 9,101 polling stations in every one of the 150 divisions. The process will proceed till 6 p.m.
Polling started on a slow note at most of the polling stations as just a few voters were seen in the initial hour.
TRS working president and state minister KT Rama Rao and MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi figured in the list of prominent individuals who cast their votes towards the beginning of the day.
A total number of 74,67,256 voters are eligible to put in their votes. They include 38,89,637 men, 35,76,941 women and 678 others.
The election authorities are holding the polls through paper ballots rather than Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
A total number of 1,122 candidates are in the fray. Ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is contesting all seats, BJP has fielded candidates in 149 divisions, Congress in 146, TDP in 106, MIM in 51, CPI in 17 and CPI-M in 12 divisions.
Other known parties have fielded 76 candidates while 415 independents are additionally testing their political fortunes.
Wearing of a face mask is obligatory for voters going to polling stations. Poll officials said those not wearing face mask won’t be permitted into the polling station.
GHMC has dispatched 36,404 personnel for the polling duty. They were likewise given face masks, sanitisers and tissues.
State Election Commission (SEC) has made all preparations have been made for smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections, properly following COVID-19 guidelines.
Sanitisation of all polling stations was done before the initiation of the polling process. A sanitizer is being given at the entry and exit point of each polling station.
Circles have been drawn outside the polling stations to guarantee social distancing.
Director-General of Police M. Mahender Reddy said more than 50,000 police personnel were sent to guarantee polling in a peaceful and free and fair method.
Police commissioners of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda said tight security arrangements were done at the polling stations and different points.
