76 pc turnout recorded in ZPTC, MPTC polls

The first phase of polling in elections to Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC) concluded on a peaceful note in the State on Monday. A whopping 76.8 per cent polling was recorded.

Elections were held for 195 ZPTCs, for which 883 candidates, including 193 independents, are in the fray. Similarly, polling was held for 2,097 MPTCs for which 7,072 candidates are contesting. Earlier, 69 MPTCs and two ZPTCs in the first phase were elected unanimously.

The highest poll percentage of 86.19 per cent was recorded in Yadadri-Bhongir district, followed by Khammam district with 85.58 per cent and Suryapet district with 85.46 per cent. The lowest polling of 66.86 per cent was registered in Mancherial district. The results are scheduled to be declared on May 27, after the announcement of the ongoing Lok Sabha poll



results.

Polling began at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm in all 195 mandals, except for about 217 MPTC seats falling in left-wing extremism affected areas where the polling concluded at 4 pm. The polling which was held with ballot papers, was in full swing since it began at 7 am till noon and resumed momentum in the afternoon. The dull moment in the afternoon was attributed to scorching temperatures.

In all, the State Election Commission released the election schedule for 5,817 MPTCs and 539 ZPTCs with the first phase polls held on May 6, followed by second phase on May 10 and the third on May 14. Around 1.56 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the elections to two upper tiers of local bodies. After the ZPTC and MPTC polls, Mandal Praja Parishad and Zilla Praja Parishad (ZPP) members would be elected.