Secunderabad sees lowest voter turnout across Telangana

With just over 39.20 per cent, Secunderabad Parliamentary constituency registered the least voting percentage of the 17 constituencies in the State in Thursday’s election.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) made elaborate arrangements to conduct elections in a hassle-free manner. However, voters failed to turn up in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the constituency. 

There were no queues in most booths in the segment. The voting percentage was 6.50 per cent till 9 am and as the day progressed, the percentage went up to 11.06 per cent by 11 am and 23.85 per cent by 1 pm and 30.20 per cent by 3 pm. The final count at 5 pm showed the overall polling at 39.20 per cent.

 

Of the seven Assembly constituencies — Musheerabad, Amberpet, Khairatabad, Jubilee Hills, Sanathnagar, Nampally and Secunderabad — Khairatabad registered only 3.48 per cent voting from 7 am to 9 am and 9 per cent from 9 am to 11 am. This was followed by



Amberpet with just 4.20 per cent voting from 7 am to 9 am and 10.40 per cent from 9 am to 11 am.

Officials expected that the percentage could cross 40 per cent by the evening as more voters might reach the booths after 4 pm once the day temperatures came down. However, it was not the case when the polling concluded.

To educate voters about the importance of voting, ECI officials also sent SMSes in the afternoon requesting voters to cast their vote. “Your vote is your right”. A YouTube link was also forwarded with the SMS to explain the importance of voting.

The election passed off peacefully in the constituency barring complaints lodged against TRS leaders in Chilkalguda and Kacheguda police stations. TRS leaders also lodged counter complaints.

Kacheguda Inspector S Janaki Reddy confirmed that they received complaints and counter complaints from TRS and BJP leaders in Kacheguda.