Ongoing Surveys in Greater Hyderabad Amid Tight Security Measures | Photo credit: PTI
Amid tight security, polls for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections began on Tuesday.
Voting began at 7 a.m. at 9,101 polling stations in the 150 divisions. The process will continue until 6 pm
The poll started on a boring note at most polling stations, with only a few voters seen in the first hour.
TRS Acting Chairman and Minister of State KT Rama Rao and MIM Chairman Asaduddin Owaisi were on the list of prominent people who cast their votes early in the morning.
A total of 74,67,256 voters are eligible to cast their votes. They include 38,89,637 men, 35,76,941 women, and 678 more.
Electoral authorities are conducting voting through paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines (EVM).
A total of 1,122 candidates are in the fray. Ruler Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is contesting all seats, BJP has run candidates in 149 divisions, Congress at 146, TDP at 106, MIM at 51, CPI at 17 and CPI-M at 12 divisions.
Other recognized parties have presented 76 candidates, while 415 independents are also trying their political luck.
The use of a mask is mandatory for voters who attend polling stations. Election officials said that those who do not wear masks will not be allowed to enter the electoral college.
GHMC has deployed 36,404 people to electoral service. Masks, disinfectants, and handkerchiefs were also provided.
The State Election Commission (SEC) has made all arrangements for the elections to run smoothly and peacefully, duly following COVID-19 regulations.
The cleanup of all polling stations was done before the voting process began. A disinfectant is provided at the entry and exit point of each voting station.
Circles have been marked outside of polling stations to ensure social distancing.
Police Director General M. Mahender Reddy said more than 50,000 police officers were deployed to ensure that elections were held in a peaceful, free and fair manner.
Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissioners said tight security arrangements were made at polling stations and other points.
