GHMC Elections 2020 : Final polling % may barely touch 40%

Hyderabad: Despite various initiatives, drives and appeals by State Election Commission, celebrities and several others, GHMC polls witnessed a lukewarm response. According to unofficial reports, the final polling percentage was likely to be around 40 per cent. According to latest figure until 5 pm the polling percentage was 35.8 per cent. Authorities stated that they are expecting the final tally to reach 40 per cent.

Until 3 pm the polling percentage did not cross even 25 per cent in the majority of the divisions. In many divisions, in Old City, the turnout was barely 10 to 18 per cent until 3 pm.

Voters from Saidabad, Akberbagh, Azampura, Chawani, Dabeerpura, Rein Bazar, Talabchanchala, IS Sadan, Lalithbagh, Riyasath Nagar, Kanchanbagh, Barkas, Chandrayangutta, Pathergatti, Moghalpura, Falaknuma, Jahanuma, Ramnasthpura etc. strangely did not show interest. These are strongholds of MIM and it remains to be seen the consequences of the low voter turn out.

Ramachandrapuram, Uppal, Gajularamaram, Bharatinagar and Machabollarum divisions presented a different story. Here the voters did show some enthusiasm when compared to voters from other divisions. By 3 pm itself, the polling percentage was nearly 40 per cent in Machabollarum and Bharathinagar, 41 per cent each in Uppal and Gajularamaram and 43 per cent in Ramachandrapuram near Patancheru.

Voters from majority divisions in LB Nagar and Hayathnagar circles also shown some inclination to exercise their franchise. As a result the voting percentage was between 34 to 38 per cent in divisions including Hayatnagar, BN Reddy Nagar, Mansoorabad, Nagole, Vanasthalipuram, Hastinapuram, Champapet, Lingojiguda.

However, the same enthusiasm was absent in neighboring Saroornagar divisions like Saroornagar (12.2 per cent), RK Puram (11.7 per cent), Kothapet (20 per cent), Chaitanyapuri (21 per cent).

Ramanthapur, Habsiguda, Chilukanagar divisions also had a voter turnout between 33 to 36 percent until 3 pm. Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Borabanda, Patancheru, Fatehnagar, Kukatpally, Chintal, Alwal, Machabolarum, Bansilalpet, Moula Ali also had a polling percentage above 30 per cent.