39.34% polling registered in Hyderabad

The election for Hyderabad Parliament seat evoked a lukewarm response from the citizens, with the city recording just 39.34 per cent polling on Thursday.

The day began with only a handful of voters turning up at the polling stations in seven Assembly constituencies — Chandrayangutta, Yakutpura, Malakpet, Charminar, Bahadurpura, Goshamahal and Karwan — that comprise Hyderabad seat.

 

Polling stations wore a deserted look till afternoon even in the thickly populated areas of Amannagar, Tallabkatta, Vattepally, Nawab Sahab Kunta, Riyasatnagar, Golconda, Kishanbagh. Towards evening, with the workers of various parties making last-minute efforts, people began queuing up at the booths.

Till 5 pm, the highest poll turnout was at Goshamahal with 49.54 per cent and lowest at Yakutpura with 31.1 per cent. Bahadurpura recorded 37.08 per cent, Chandrayangutta 38.9, Karwan 44, Malakpet 33.21, and Charminar 46 per cent.

Nadeem Ahmed of Khilwat, who came along with his family to a polling station at 4 pm, said due to the heat conditions, they did not venture out in the afternoon. “It was very hot since morning. So, we came out



only in the evening to cast our votes,” he said.

The enthusiasm of polling was missing in several areas of the old city, with people either confined to their houses or moving out to pay a visit to their relatives. “The school vacation had begun just two days ago, and many families moved out to their native places. 

The police remained active throughout the day. Senior police officials, including Additional Commissioner DS Chauhan, DCP (South) Amber Kishore Jah and others, patrolled and monitored the situation. Teams of the Central Armed Police Force and local police, including Commissioner’s Task Force, patrolled the streets in sensitive areas.

Hyderabad MP contestant Asaduddin Owaisi visited several areas in Chandrayangutta, Malakpet and Yakutpura constituency and reviewed the process. BJP candidate Dr Bhagwantha Rao visited areas in Goshamahal, Karwan, Chandrayangutta constituencies in the afternoon.

Shops and commercial establishments remained closed throughout the day and only towards the evening, the businessmen started to roll up the shutters.