Hyderabad, Sakshi: The State Election Commission has completed all arrangements for the elections scheduled on Wednesday for 116 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations across the state. Polling will take place from 7 AM to 5 PM, allowing 5.2 million voters to exercise their voting rights at 8,191 polling centers within the jurisdiction of these municipalities and corporations.
A total of 12,944 candidates are contesting for 2,981 wards and divisions, representing major political parties including Congress, BRS, BJP, CPI, CPM, AAP, MIM, and All India Forward Bloc, along with several independent candidates. In a significant development, 12 councilors in the municipalities and two corporators in the municipal corporations have been elected unopposed. However, due to the death of BJP candidate Erukala Mahadeva in the 8th ward of Makthal municipality, the elections there have been postponed.
As part of the preparations, election personnel have already arrived at their designated polling centers by Tuesday evening, equipped with polling materials. Election staff transported ballot boxes from distribution centers established in 123 municipalities. After the polling concludes in the evening, the ballot boxes will be secured in 137 predetermined strong rooms under official supervision.
For the first time, elaborate arrangements for webcasting have been made at all polling centers to ensure a transparent and peaceful conduct of the municipal elections happening in a single phase across the state. Authorities will monitor the polling process both inside and outside the polling centers, aided by drone surveillance around these locations. Heavy police forces have been deployed at problematic and extremely problematic polling centers to maintain order.
Voters can access information about their polling details through the ‘T Poll’ mobile Android app created by the State Election Commission. By entering their photo voter ID card number (EPIC), voters can download their voter slip and check polling center details. Additionally, voter slips can also be downloaded from the voter portal on the official website of the State Election Commission.
To address complaints and objections regarding the polling process, the election commission has set up a toll-free number: 9240021456. Moreover, government and private institutions in the areas where elections are being held have been declared on leave, ensuring that government employees and those working in private businesses, trade, and industry receive paid leave as per government orders.
In earlier assembly and parliamentary elections, the Central Election Commission introduced a ‘home voting’ provision for individuals over 80 years of age and those severely ill, allowing them to vote from home. However, officials have stated that such a provision is not available for the current municipal elections. They emphasized the need to introduce this provision in future MP-TC and ZPTC elections, according to the election monitoring platform convener Bandaru Ram Mohan Rao.
