Elections were held to 119 constituencies in Telangana, India’s newest State, on Friday. The Congress-led Praja Kutami (People’s Front), also comprising the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Telangana Jana Samithi and the CPI, is pitted against the ruling Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS), which is allied with the AIMIM. The BJP is also contesting the elections.
Here are the live updates:
84% turnout in Siddipet district
Sidddipet district, part of the erstwhile Medak district, recorded 79.5% turnout.
Assembly segment-wise break up:
Siddipet 78.86%
Dubbak 85.92%
Husnabad 83.17%
Gajwel 88%
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is seeking election from Gajwel.
76.6% turnout in Karimnagar
Karimnagar district recorded 76.6% turnout at the end of polling.
Assembly segment-wise break up:
Karimnagar 67.81%
Choppadandi 78.46%
Manakondur 81.5%
Huzurabad 82.19%
67% turnout, says Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has put the final Telangana polls turnout at 67%.
Meanwhile, polling has passed off peacefully in 13 constituencies identified as sensitive in view of proximity to Maoist-affected areas bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, police say. Police say they have arrested a cadre of banned CPI-Maoist in Bhadradri Kothagudem District and seized two pipe bombs, thwarting attempts to carry out attacks through its “action teams“.
“The polling process in 13 constituencies out of the 119 assembly segments identified sensitive to Left wing extremism wasconducted in peaceful manner,” Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jitender tells PTI.
One Maoist “action team” member was nabbed under Cherla police station limits in Bhadradri Kothagudem District, another police official says.
Two pipe bombs were seized from them while at least four other ultras managed to escape into bordering Chhattisgarh, the official says.
Polling percentage is reported to be over 67 per cent
Polling ends in 13 constituencies lying in the Left Wing Extremism affected areas.
Earlier, the ST reserved Bhadrachalam constituency records a voter turnout of 66 per cent with just an hour left for the end of polling at 4 pm in the Left-Wing-Extremism affected district.
Voters stand in a queue at a polling station during the Assembly election in Hyderabad.
The exact polling percentage till 3 pm stands at 56.17 per cent.
Polling percentage reportedly crossed 60 and reaches 61.2 per cent by 3 pm. Karimnagar district recorded 55.55 per cent polling, Huzurabad 65 per cent, Choppadandi 56.80 per cent, Manakondur 56.10 per cent and Karimnagar segment 46 per cent. 35.31 per cent polling in Hyderabad up till 3 pm. Jagtial district recorded 61.27 per cent.
Korutla segment 59.73 per cent, Jagtial 60.44 per cent, Dharmapuri 63.52 per cent. Bhongir and Aler constituencies in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district cruising at 68.73 per cent and 64.97 per cent respectively, and Thungathurthy in Suryapet inches to its 2014 record (78.05), now at 73 per cent. Sircilla segment polling percent 62.10 and vemulawada 58.54 per cent.
Around 55.25 per cent of votes were cast in Khammam district with the ST-reserved Wyra constituency recording a voter turnout of 61.59 per cent.
The polling percentage in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district was 61.49.
The ST reserved Bhadrachalam constituency records a voter turnout of 66 per cent with just an hour left for the end of polling at 4 pm in the Left-Wing-Extremism affected district.
Telangana waives toll tax for voters heading to native places
With hundreds of people from Hyderabad heading to their native places to cast their votes in the Telangana Assembly elections, the state government decided to exempt them from toll tax.
Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi issued orders to this effect following a request from Chief Electoral Officer Rajath Kumar.
The poll official told reporters that in view of the reports of long traffic jams at toll plazas, he requested the Chief Secretary to waive the toll tax to enable people to reach their villages faster.
A large number of people from Hyderabad have been leaving for various districts across the State since Thursday. The railway stations and bus stations were also crowded with the people leaving for their destinations.
Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) was operating additional bus services to clear the rush.
Voters beat up poll officer for manipulation
Voters beat up an official here at a polling station, after a few senior citizens who were being assisted by him discovered he was voting against their choice in Huzurnagar, Suryapet. Sources said at least five votes were allegedly manipulated by the official.
The polling officer at Vellatoor-139 booth in Mellacheruvu mandal was reportedly assisting persons with disability and the elderly. And when some of the voters witnessed a different electoral symbol in the feedback display — Voter verifiable paper audit trail, they had alerted others.
Raising slogans, villagers gheraoed him leading to tension, and soon the official was removed from the place by other staff.
Senior election officials of the constituency said booth-level officers can assist persons while voting, but influencing and manipulating their choices accounts to electoral fraud. An inquiry has been sought by the returning officer.
Voters at Veluguapalli polling station (213) in Thungathurthy mandal of Suryapet district had to wait outside the booth to exercise their franchise, as officials closed the booths for lunch.
Man held for taking selfie inside polling station
A man was taken into custody after he allegedly took a selfie while casting his vote at a polling station in Rajendra Nagar in Hyderabad.
The voter identified as Shiv Shankar, clicked a selfie inside the polling booth this morning, following which a complaint was lodged by an election official and a case was registered, they said. A case under IPC section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) has been registered, said DCP (Shamshabad Zone) N. Prakash Reddy.
Film personalities add glitz to Telangana polls
Adding a dash of glamour to the poll process in Telangana, Telugu film bigwigs turned up in good numbers to cast their ballot.
Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, popular Telugu actors Nagarjuna, Amala, Allu Arjun and director of ‘Baahubali’ S S Rajamouli were among the early voters.
“Junior” NTR, grandson of TDP founder N T Rama Rao, also queued up to vote. His sister Suhasini is the TDP candidate in Kukatpalle Assembly constituency.
Telangana has recorded polling of 43.16 per cent voting till 1 pm. Hyderabad recorded the lowest of 28.8 per cent.
Medak and Narsapur have recorded 58.91 per cent each.
Telangana CEO website crashes
Voting in Hyderabad was marred by confusions as many citizens didn't get polling slips. The authorities of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation distributed polling slips this time, as against the existing practice of political parties distributing it.
Several voters complained their names were missing. Many sought to get the details online, but could only reach to a blank page of Telangana Chief Electoral Officer's website.
The Election Commission had launched a 'naa vote' app to locate the polling booth. Voters complained the app hasn't been functioning properly since morning.
Confusion in Hyderabad as many voters fail to get voter slips
Notwithstanding GHMC's claims of cent per cent distribution of voter slips through booth level officers, several voters have complained that they have not received them.
Govardhan Das, 80, a resident of Gunrock, was sent from one polling station to the other, and returned finally unable to cast his vote.
"Many of us have not received voter slips. We did not know our polling booth, and went around from Mudfort, to Kharkhana, and then to Diamond Point. But our votes were nowhere," he said, speaking for himself & his wife.
Forum of IT Professionals urges the Chief Electoral Officer to take action against the IT managements which are forcing employees to work today, robbing them of their right to vote and participate in the democratic process.
IT Minister in the caretaker government, K.T.Rama Rao, after casting his vote at a polling centre in Hyderabad on Friday.
State Minister for Information and Technology, K.T. Rama Rao cast his vote at a polling booth in Hyderabad. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Rao expressed confidence that the TRS will be re-elected again.
"There is a good vibe.... People are voting with enthusiasm," Mr. Rao said. "People will vote for our good governance," he added.
Jwala Gutta's name missing in voters list
Hyderabad: Telangana: July 01, 2015: Badminton player Jwala Gutta during a press conference in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury.
Ace shuttler Jwala Gutta, a resident of Hyderabad said her name is missing on the voters list. "Surprised to see my name disappear from the voting list after checking online," she tweeted.
She wondered how the elections could be termed "fair" when names were disappearing for the voters list. Many fellow Hyderabadis retweeted and replied their experience with missing names.
One Harsha, whose Twitter Bio says he is a respiratory therapist, said both his parents names were not in the list when they were living in the same house for 36 years.
Polling picks up gradually in Nalgonda
Polling in the 12 Assembly constituencies in the united district started off gradually, crossing the 11% mark in three hours from 7 a.m. Munugode in Nalgonda reported the highest poll percentage at 21.63.
Delay due to technical snag in electronic voting machines was a complaint from polling booths in mandals of Aler, Thungathurthy and Suryapet. Officials said they have been replaced.
BJP denies attack on Congress candidate
Krishna Saagar Rao, Chief Spokesperson, BJP in a statement charged that the Congress is playing victim games sensing disastrous defeat. "BJP has nothing to do with attack on Vamshi Chander Reddy. Police should investigate & book those responsible for the attack. Police should also ensure wrong rumours are not spread through media," he said.
Further, Mr. Rao pointed out that Congress is already conceding defeat. That's the reason for their leaders creating rumours against BJP. Uttam Reddy statements against BJP is highlighting Congress retreat in the elections, he remarked.
Several EVMs replaced
Voting percentage across Telangana improved by 11 am with officials announcing that 23.4 per cent voting was reported in the first four hours.
CEO Rajat Kumar said total of 19 control units, 22 ballot units and 42 VVPATs have been replaced so far after they were found defective.
The election authority had decided to reduce lighting in the polling compartments as the VVPATs has sensors which could be affected if there was more lighting.
The election authority had so far received 30 complaints relating to code violation and reports of 25 of these cases had been forwarded to the EC for further action.
Tollywood actor Allu Arjun after casting his vote at a polling centre in Hyderabad on Friday.
Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts register 18.88 and 24 poll percentage respectively till 11 am.
Medak records 31.1 per cent polling while Warangal districts recorded 20 per cent voting.
Hyderabad district recorded 16.16% voting at 11 am
Elderly voter collapses
A senior citizen voter, Narasimha, collapses at the Gundrampally polling station in Chityal of Nalgonda district. He breathed his last while being taken to the hospital.
Congress candidate attacked in Nagarkurnool
Challa Vamsichand Reddy. File photo.
Congress candidate from Kalwakurthy assembly constituency Ch. Vamshichand Reddy was injured when he was allegedly attacked by BJP cadres in Amangal mandal of Nagarkurnool district on Friday. When Mr. Reddy was visiting the polling booth in Jangareddypalli, BJP workers allegedly pelted stones at him.
The TPCC chief N.Uttam Kumar Reddy in a statement condemned the brutal attack on Mr. Vamshichand Reddy and demanded stern action against the culprits.
Congress candidate from Tandur Pilot Rohit Reddy, on lodged a complaint with the Tandur Town police alleging that last night, a group of 40-50 unidentified persons reportedly TRS supporters made a vain bid to attack him at a guest house in Inderched village of Basheerabad mandal in Vikarabad district.
Voting picks up
Kothagudem constituency spanning the coal mining region in the tribal dominated Bhadradri-Kothagudem district records high voter turn out of 14.4 %, followed by 12 % each in Bhadrachalam and Yellandu constituencies, 11 % in Aswaraopet constituency and 9.5 % in Pinapaka constituency in the first two hours of polling.
Karimnagar district reported average of 21.17 per cent polling till 11 am, while Warangal district registers an average of 30 per cent.
Doorstep pick-up for voters with disabilities
The Election Commission has issued directions for making available proper transport facility for persons with disabilities at all polling stations for cast their votes in Hyderabad on Friday.
The physically challenged and disabled persons in Hyderabad will be carried to the respective polling stations through vehicles organised by GHMC.
For their convenience, 150 vehicles have been deployed throughout the city, with staggered routes so that the disabled voters can be picked up from their doorstep and taken to the polling station, the District Election Officer M. Dana Kishore said, after flagging off the vehicles on Thursday.
The vehicles will start between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., with routes changing every two hours so as to cover all the assigned routes. This will last till the end of the polling.
Munugode constituency in Nalagonda has recorded 21.6% polling till 10:30 am, the highest in the State so far.
Polling has crossed over 10 per cent in most constituencies.
Jogulamba-Gadwal district reported 15 per cent polling and Wanaparthy 6 per cent in the first two hours.
An Adivasi-Lambada war of attrition
Tribal women wait for their turn to vote at Chinna Tanda in Khammam district.
A year since the beginning of their campaign for the expulsion of the Lambada tribe from the Scheduled Tribes list, the Adivasis in Telangana are looking forward to the Assembly election to help the movement gain political currency. No political party, however, has paid the kind of attention that the nine aboriginal tribes expect to get for their demand.
Former MLA T Narsa Reddy at his house at Wargal village in siddipet dist
Former Congress MLA T. Narsareddy alleges that he was forcibly brought to home from polling station by ACP Narayana even though he was 200 metres away from polling station.
He claims was not allowed even to sit outside, and the police threatened to register case against him.
Moderate polling in Khammam
Centenarian Lalithamma poses after casting her vote in Khammam.
A dull to moderate polling was recorded in the first two hours in the five constituencies in the district - Khammam (7 %), Palair (9%), Madhira (8 %), Wyra (8 %) and Sattupalli (9 %).
Incidents of glitches in EVMs were reported from polling stations at Indiranagar in Khammam and one polling booth in Madhira town and a few other places in the district.
Bhadrachalam tribal constituency recorded 12 % polling in the first two hours.
Protesting lack of development, residents of Raghavapuram village in Mothey mandal of Suryapet boycott polls.
Voters from 26 division in Khammam also boycott the polls citing the same reason.
Polling delayed for two hours in polling booth 220 in Banjara Hills Road No 13 under Khairatabad constituency because of faulty EVM. It was replaced by another unit and polling began at 9 am.
Voters complained that they had to stand for two hours though they came at 7 am and they were still waiting for their turn.
9% polling till 9 am
Youngsters first time voters showing their marked fingers after casting their votes during General Elections Telangana State Legislative Assembly -2018 at St. Nizamis High School in Banjara Hills on Friday.
Amid spree of complaints on the non functioning EVMs, close to 10% voting was registered in the first two hours in several parts of across Telangana. According to information received by election officials, 8.97% polling was reported till 9 am.
Polling begins on calm note in Warangal
Polling began on a cool note across five districts here on friday and at the end of first two hours about 9% polling was registered on an average.Small queues were seen in urban polling booths while long queues were in rural parts.Political leaders and district collectors were first to cast their votes.
16% polling in Andole
Polling commenced at brisk pace in the erstwhile Medak district and large number of people were seen standing at polling booths.
Even before the polling process began people stood in queue. In the first two hours,the polling in Sangareddy was 14%, Narayankhed 8.5%, Zaheerabad 12%, Andole 16% and Patancheru 10%.
At Shivampet in Narsapur constituency of Medak district, TRS workers were seen asking voters to vote for the party while no activist of Congress were seen where former minister V. Sunitha Lakshma Reddy is contesting.
Mothkupalli Narsimhulu, an independent candidate of Aler constituency in Yadadr-Bhuvanagiri district complains of chest pain, shifted to Hyderabad.
Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district with two Assembly constituencies – Aler and Bhongir, registers 4.09 and 11.08 poll percentage respectively till 9 a.m.
Where is my polling booth?
The Election Commission’s promise of distribution of photo voter slips with a route map to the polling station has fallen flat in the city, with many electors not even receiving the slips, let alone the route map.
Only a few electors in the 15 constituencies of the Hyderabad district have got elaborate voter slips with route maps printed overleaf, while practically none in the constituencies falling in Ranga Reddy and Medchal districts have received even simple voter slips.
However, the tech-savvy citizens have the option of downloading the slips from the Chief Electoral Officer’s website ‘ceotelangana.nic.in’.
Commissioner of Police, Tafsir Iqbal, and his wife showing ink mark after casting vote in Khammam on Friday.
PM Modi's appeal to voters
"Today is polling day. I request all my brothers and sisters in Telangana to come and vote in large numbers and strengthen the democracy," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in Telugu.
He also made a special appeal to the youth to exercise their franchise.
Former Union Minister and actor Chiranjeevi and his wife Surekha after casting their votes at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad on Friday.
Voters queuing up to exercise their franchise in Khammam on Friday.
Complaints from several constituencies over non-functional EVMs are pouring in. However, officials in CEO's office say they haven't received any complaints so far.
In Malkajgiri, over 2000 voters left in lurch as polling station shifted without notice
Over 2000 voters in polling station numbers 311,312, 313 and 314 allotted to a private school in Old Alwal were left in lurch as the polling station was shifted to another place without any prior notice.The polling station located in Loyola High School in Father Balaiah Nagar of Old Alwal in Malkajgiri Assembly constituency has four booths as per the original allotment.
But, to the surprise of the voters, they found the school locked and none to guide them. While the school is said to have been shut down for over two years, the authorities still allotted four polling stations. After great difficulty, the voters were asked to approach Loyola Academy Degree and PG College, located a good two km away.
On reaching the place, voters were told that only two booths 311 and 312 were located there while two others 313, 314 and 314 A, were moved to St Pious High School in Alwal Hills, 3 kms from the actual polling station.
Polling gets delayed by one hour at two booths in St. Paul's Hi-Tech school at Kutbiguda under Amberpet constituency as EVMs failed. Polling agents of various parties are demanding extension of polling by one hour.
Jagadish Reddy remarks creates controversy
Minister for Energy and SC Development in the caretaker government G. Jagadish Reddy displays his inked finger after casting his vote in Suryapet.
TDP president L. Ramana has sought action against Minister G. Jagadish Reddy for claiming that the vote cast for Praja Kutami is in favour of Amaravati, the capital of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Reddy reportedly made these comments after casting his vote.
The TDP has alleged that Mr. Reddy is trying to provoke sentiments to influence the voters. The party's legal cell is planning to lodge a complaint with the election authority seeking action against the Minister.
Voters wait as polling is yet to begin in Chaitanyapuri Chaitanya esmart school polling station till 8 am due to EVM snag.
A bad start to polling at Chaitanyapuri, in Hyderabad. Voters were kept waiting even after an hou at Chaitanya esmart school polling station, booth number 46, owing to EVM snag.
Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar and Joint CEO Amrapali Kata are monitoring the poll proceedings from the Poll Day Monitoring Cell, the control room, set up by the State election authority at Secretariat.
Mr. Rajat Kumar said reports on minor clashes in some constituencies late on Thursday night were sent to the EC seeking it's guidance for further action.
Sindhu returns without casting her vote
Shuttler P.V. Sindhu and her family sets out to vote, in Hyderabad on Friday.
Shuttler P.V. Sindhu had to return without casting her vote since the EVM was malfunctioning, thus delaying polling process in Kokapet in Hyderabad. She said she will come back later in the day after her practice session.
For a disabled-friendly voting process
A volunteer helps a differently-abled person at a polling station in Hyderabad.
The size of the electorate in Telangana has shrunk by a few lakh voters. But, the number of voters who are classified as persons with disabilities has nearly tripled over the past two months. In the first week of October, the Telangana Election Commission detailed the updated rolls for the State. It listed 2,35,299 persons with disabilities as voters. This number has nearly tripled to about 7 lakh.
Here is the story of M. Srinivasulu, a person with a locomotor disability, whose RTI application paved way for Telangana to bring in facilities for People with Disabilities to have a hassle-free voting experience.
Sudden change of polling venue irks voters
Polling at booth number 314 in Hyderabad is yet to start as the EVM is not functioning. Voters are agitated as the polling station was shifted from LOYOLA Hugh School at Father Balaiah Nagar in Old Alwal to St Pious High School in Skwal, two km away. A large number of voters were seen waiting at the old poliling station.
Telangana Minister T Harish Rao costing his vote at Siddipet.
Ministers T. Harish Rao, T. Nageswara Rao and G. Jagadish Reddy are among the early voters. While Mr. Harish Rao exercised his franchise in Siddipet, Mr. Nageswara Rao voted in Palair and Mr. Jagadish Reddy cast his vote in Suryapet.
Nalgonda MP Gutha Sukender Reddy and TRS candidate N. Bhaskar Rao cast their vote in Miryalaguda.
Badmintom champion P.V. Sindhu was also among the early voters. She set out for voting along with her family members.
S.K. Saji, one of the early voters.
S.K. Saji, one of the early voters.
Here is S.K. Saji, one of the early voters in Khammam. The 80-year-old woman arrived at the polling booth with a minor relative to assist her.
Voters queue up at a polling booth in Hyderabad’s Attapur area to exercise their franchise on Friday.
In Hyderabad’s Attapur area, officials struggled to make the Electronic Voting Machines functional at Polling Station 145/51 even as voters started arriving early in the day. Polling is underway.
Polling will be held between 7 am and 5 pm in 106 constituencies while it will be from 7 am to 4 pm in the 13 constituencies identified as sensitive for left-wing extremist activities.
Malkajgiri constituency has the highest number of 42 contestants and Banswada the least with six.
Over 2.8 crore voters, 1.41 crore men and 1.39 crore women including 7.04 lakh voters under the age of 20, will exercise their franchise in 32,815 polling stations across Telangana. In all 1,821 candidates, 515 of national and state recognised political parties, are testing their fortunes in the election, the first full-fledged election after the formation of the State.
