Polling under way for Hyderabad municipal elections

Hyderabad, Feb 2: Polling was under way peacefully and amid tight security for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Tuesday.

Polling began at 7 a.m. at 7,802 polling stations spread across the city and will continue till 5 p.m.

A total of 7,423,980 voters, including 3,453,910 women, will decide the political fortunes of 1,333 candidates, who are in fray in 150 divisions.

With deployment of over 30,000 security personnel, election authorities have made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful polling. As many as 46,545 personnel have been deployed for the election duty for smooth conduct of the poll process.

The state election commission is webcasting polling at 3,200 sensitive polling stations. The officials of the commission and also police were monitoring the balloting process.

The state government has declared a holiday for all offices, educational institutions, shops and business establishments to enable people to cast their votes.

Half-day holiday has also been declared for IT/ITES companies.

Polling began on a dull note with less than 12 percent voters casting their votes in the first three hours. The GHMC officials hope that the turnout will pick up as the day progresses.

Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya along with his family members cast their votes in Ramnagar.

Telangana's Information Technology Minister K. Tarakarama Rao, who led the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi's campaign, cast his vote in Banjara Hills.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu's wife Bhuaneswari, son Lokesh, daughter Brahmini cast their votes in Jubliee Hills. Naidu's brother-in-law and popular Telugu actor Balakrishna also exercised franchise.

IANS