HYDERABAD: Flagging voter participation in what was billed as Telangana‘s closest electoral contest in its brief nine-year history saw the estimated turnout on Thursday dip to 70% from the 2018 figure of 73.4%, coinciding with several exit polls either predicting a hung assembly or BRS’s exit.
Hyderabad district reported just over 40% polling till 5pm, well below the state average and matching the trend set in the previous assembly polls, when less than half of the Greater Hyderabad electorate voted.
In contrast, Maoist-infested Bhadrachalam and Pinapaka in Bhadradri Kothagudem district recorded more than 80% voting despite the militants calling for a boycott. Two polling booths had a turnout of 91% even after Maoists torched a lorry in the vicinity.
Telangana’s chief electoral officer Vikas Raj said the state’s overall turnout was likely to rise, and maybe even surpass the 2018 numbers. “In urban areas, voting picked up in the evening. We are hoping for a better percentage this time.”
The districts that reported trouble included Janagaon, where BRS and BJP workers clashed. Bodhan in Nizamabad also saw tempers flare up at the Vijayamary polling booth, with Congress and BRS supporters going at each other.
Hyderabad district reported just over 40% polling till 5pm, well below the state average and matching the trend set in the previous assembly polls, when less than half of the Greater Hyderabad electorate voted.
In contrast, Maoist-infested Bhadrachalam and Pinapaka in Bhadradri Kothagudem district recorded more than 80% voting despite the militants calling for a boycott. Two polling booths had a turnout of 91% even after Maoists torched a lorry in the vicinity.
Telangana’s chief electoral officer Vikas Raj said the state’s overall turnout was likely to rise, and maybe even surpass the 2018 numbers. “In urban areas, voting picked up in the evening. We are hoping for a better percentage this time.”
The districts that reported trouble included Janagaon, where BRS and BJP workers clashed. Bodhan in Nizamabad also saw tempers flare up at the Vijayamary polling booth, with Congress and BRS supporters going at each other.
