Hyderabad, February 11 Approximately 49% of voters cast their votes by 1 PM on Wednesday in the municipal elections in Telangana, which officials say is an impressive turnout.
Voting was taking place in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, which is seen as a test of popularity for the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP and BRS.
State Election Commissioner I Rani Kumudini expressed hope that a good voting percentage would be recorded in the election and appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise.
State Municipal Administration department secretary T K Sridevi said that low voter turnout is often seen in urban local bodies, but "an impressive voter turnout is being seen in several municipalities now" due to voter awareness programs and other efforts of the State Election Commission.
The polling process was peaceful, except for minor scuffles between workers of rival groups at some places, state Additional DGP (law and order) Mahesh Bhagwat told PTI.
The polling began at 7 AM, and it proceeded steadily, with about 29% voter turnout recorded by 11 AM, official sources said.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy cast his vote at his assembly constituency of Kodangal in Vikarabad district, while Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar exercised his franchise in Karimnagar.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka voted at a polling booth in his assembly constituency of Madhira in Khammam district.
The counting of votes will take place on February 13.
Following its success in the gram panchayat elections last December, the ruling Congress aims to consolidate its position as the dominant force in state politics by scoring emphatic victories in the urban local bodies.
Aiming to emerge as a credible alternative to both the Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the BJP conducted a spirited campaign in the municipal elections.
Having suffered setbacks in the 2023 assembly polls and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BRS delivered a decent performance in the gram panchayat polls and is keen to make substantial gains in the municipal elections to reverse its fortunes in the state.
