Telangana Municipal Polling Begins for 52 Lakh Voters

Polling began across Telangana on Wednesday for municipal elections in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, as over 52 lakh voters headed to the polls in a key test of urban political influence. The single-phase voting, covering 2,982 wards after 14 seats were declared unopposed, started at 7 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m., with results expected on February 13.

The elections involve 13,000 candidates competing for seats in urban local bodies spread across 32 districts. Eligible voters number 52.17 lakh, including 25.50 lakh men and 26.67 lakh women. Polling stations, totaling 8,191, are equipped with 16,382 ballot boxes and staffed by 41,773 personnel, including 1,379 returning officers. The seven corporations are Karimnagar, Ramagundam, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar, Mancherial, Kothagudem, and Nalgonda, encompassing 414 wards. To promote transparency, the State Election Commission has implemented full webcasting at all polling and counting centers.

Security measures are extensive, with police deployments at every polling station to ensure a peaceful process. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in sensitive areas, and flag marches were conducted in districts...