Hyderabad: Voting for the municipal elections is underway in 412 divisions of seven municipal corporations and 2,569 wards of 116 municipal corporations since 7 am on Wednesday, February 11 and will conclude at 5 pm.
Security has been heightened at all polling stations to prevent any untoward incident. The State Election Commission has arranged for webcasting inside and outside all polling stations and counting of votes will be done on the 13th. Indirect elections will be held for the posts of mayors, deputy mayors, chairpersons and vice chairpersons of corporations on February 16.
A total of 52.17 lakh voters, including 25.50 lakh men and 26.67 lakh women are eligible to exercise their franchise.
Station Ghanpur: A young girl exercised her right to vote for the first time at Chagallu High School
Gram Panchayat elections in December:
The municipal elections are being conducted two months after gram panchayat elections, in which Congress emerged victorious. It aims to consolidate its position as the dominant force in state politics while the BJP is aiming to be an alternative to the Congress and BRS.
The BRS is keen to make substantial gains in the municipal polls after putting up a decent fight in gram panchayat elections.
Candidates splurge for votes:
Meanwhile, candidates across political parties have reportedly spent Rs 250 crore to lure voters in various ways. Complaints indicate that inducements have reached Rs 30,000 per vote in several areas. Money, liquor, kitchen utensils, saris, groceries and meat are the main items being distributed to gain favour among voters.