GHMC poll percentage rises marginally

Hyderabad: The final polling percentage in GHMC elections was 46.60 per cent. A total of 34.54 lakh voters of over 74 lakh voters cast their votes on Tuesday in the elections to the GHMC. This data pertains to 149 divisions and re-polling in Old Malakpet ward is slated on Thursday (December 4). Also, the overall poll percentage was higher than 45.27 per cent recorded in 2016 GHMC elections.

GHMC Commissioner and Election Authority D S Lokesh Kumar released the final figures of the polling percentages on Wednesday evening, a day after the polling which was largely peaceful and smooth barring a goof-up which led to poll postponement in one division. Five hours after the polling ended at 6 pm, the SEC put the approximate polling percentage at "over 43 per cent." After an hour, it was revised to 45.71 per cent. However, the next morning, the overall polling percentage was put at 46.60. Official sources attributed this to the delay in receiving final reports from GHMC Deputy Commissioners. Even 46.6 per cent was not the final figure as this would be revised further after re-poll in the Old Malakpet division, where the polling was stopped after a discrepancy in ballot paper came to light. The SEC has ordered re-poll in all 69 polling booths in the division on December 3. A total of 34,54,552 votes were polled in 149 divisions on Tuesday. The overall poll percentage by men was 48.09, women 45 and by others 10.81 per cent. Apparently, more number of voters cast their votes in the last hour. All those standing in the queue at 6 p.m. were also allowed to vote. According to the figures released by the SEC, 35.8 per cent voters had cast votes by 5 p.m.

The poll percentage was higher on the city outskirts than the core city areas. More number of divisions in the Old City recorded poor turnout. Among divisions, Kanchanbagh saw the highest turnout at 70.39 per cent while the lowest 32.99 per cent polling was recorded in Yousufguda. Ramchandrapuram registered 67.71 per cent turnout while it was 65.77 per cent in Patancheruvu. Among the lowest, Mehdipatnam recorded 34.41 per cent polling and Saidabad 35.77 per cent. Seventeen divisions saw less than 40 per cent turnout while 37 divisions recorded 50 per cent or more polling. Long weekend holidays and the Covid-19 pandemic believed to have led to low voter turnout.

The fate of 1,122 candidates was sealed in ballot boxes which will be opened for counting slated for December 4. Meanwhile, UFERWAS, the umbrella body of the Residential Welfare Associations in GHMC limits, said that voting percentage in 60-odd divisions was over 50 per cent, but the final tally was affected due to low voter turn out in other divisions, especially those in the Old City.