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SCB polls witness low voter turnout
Despite intensive campaigns by all contestants, Secunderabad Cantonment Board elections received a lukewarm response, similar to the previous elections held in 2008. Although officials could not determine voting percentage until Sunday night, Returning Officer P Vittal predicted that it would be in the range of 45 to 50 percent.
Voting percentage akin to 2008 elections; Elaborate arrangements ensure peaceful polls
Hyderabad: Despite intensive campaigns by all contestants, Secunderabad Cantonment Board elections received a lukewarm response, similar to the previous elections held in 2008. Although officials could not determine voting percentage until Sunday night, Returning Officer P Vittal predicted that it would be in the range of 45 to 50 percent.
It may be mentioned here that voting percentage in 2008 election was 48.45 percent and before that it was a meagre 37 percent. 2015 elections were distinct as EVMs were used for the first time. According to political experts, low voter turnout is likely to work in favour of sitting candidates in eight wards of which four candidates are being supported by the TRS. Higher voting percentage would mean vote against anti-incumbency.
In this backdrop, lukewarm response to elections might actually benefit sitting candidates, they felt. Although SCB elections are held without party symbols, sitting candidates in four wards namely Jampana Pratap (ward-1), Keshav Reddy (ward-2), Vidyavathi (ward-3) and Nalini Kiran (ward-4 (ladies reserved), who is the daughter of former councilor Venkat Rao, have been supported by TRS.
Likewise, two associates of former Congress minister Sarvey Satyanarayana, who also happen to be sitting candidates, are also in the fray. Meanwhile, chaos prevailed at some polling booths with names of voters missing from the list. There are close to 14,000 voters in the list in ward-4 which comprises colonies near West Marredpally, Picket, JBS and Secunderabad Club. However, many voters, who came to exercise their franchise were left red-faced when their names did not figure in the list.
Surendra Kumar and Sashi Rekha, residents of Priya Colony and Satish Chander, resident of the Jyothi Colony were peeved at not finding their names despite checking in ten polling booths in their respective ward. Meanwhile, police recovered Rs 62,000 and a two-wheeler from an unknown person at Jayanagar, Bowenpally in ward-1 and enquiry is on into this issue. Elaborate security arrangements by police led to peaceful conduct of elections.
In all, 114 candidates entered into the fray from eight wards. The number of voters stood at 1.68 lakh. Voters exercised their franchise at 187 polling stations from 8 am to 5 pm. The counting of votes will be taken up on Tuesday (January 13) and results to be declared same day.
