The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) voting is underway on the 1st of December.
The polling is being held in a smooth and peaceful way. However, the voter turnout has been very low till now.
The polling process is being observed through webcasts and micro observers and all steps are being taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.
However, a small clash occurred between the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chaitanya Nagar colony, in Patancheru.
The TRS Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mahipal Reddy’s son allegedly attacked a youth for wearing ‘khandva’ of another party. Police intervened to control the situation.
Till 1:00 P.M., the GHMC polling recorded 18.20 % voter’s turnout.
Political parties and celebrities appealed to people to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes.
The TRS leader K. Kavitha urged voters to come and perform their franchise. She said, “We want the people of Hyderabad to come and vote. It is a privilege to have the right to vote. If you don’t vote, you won’t have any right to question.”
G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Home Affairs Minister for State, K.T. Rama Rao, actors and celebrities casted their votes.
Citizens of Telangana also performed their franchise and casted vote.
At Dabeerpura, 70 year old D. Vijayalaxmi exercised her franchise and appealed to fellow voters to cast their vote.
Mr. Vijayalaxmi said, “I am a housewife but still I feel it is our responsibility to vote.”
Considering the pandemic, the GHMC has made elaborate arrangements at the polling stations, especially provision of kits and hand sanitizers for the polling staff. All the norms of the COVID-19 infection were being followed during the voting process. Even voters are maintaining physical distance in the queues while waiting for their turn at the polling booths.
The voting began at 7:00 A.M., and would continue till the 6:00 P.M.
The major parties contesting the GHMC elections are the TRS (TRS,) the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) the All India Majlis e Ittehadul (AIMIM) and the Indian National Congress (INC.)
The results of the GHMC elections would be declared on the 4th of December.
Stay tuned for further updates.
