Polling roundup

The people's verdict about State Congress president D. Srinivas from Nizamabad Urban, TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s son K. T. Rama Rao from Circilla and others has been sealed in the ballot boxes and electronic voing machines by 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday when polling for the day closed.

About ten per cent polling was reported till 0900 hours with no untoward incident from anywhere in the 12 Assembly constituencies in the Telangana region. The polling pace picked up later and recorded 62.4 percent of polling by the end of the day.

The polling started at 700 hours in the 12 constituencies, including five seats where ballot papers were used for first time after 1978.

The polling continued till 1700 hours. The Election Commission introduced use of 3-G mobile phones and other latest communication devices to obtain up to date information on polling. The polling was by and large peaceful and there was no scope of repolling anywhere, suggested Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)I V Subba Rao before mediapersons in the evening.

Rao also spoke to polling officials and polling agents in Warangal where 3-G mobile phones were provided. He also witnessed the polling via the phones continuously.

CC-cameras have been installed at some sensitive polling stations and they were connected to the CEO's office in Hyderabad via internet to monitor the polling in progress. The counting of votes will take place on July 30.

The total number of voters in the 12 assembly segments is 23,59,228 that includes 11,75,117 men and 11,84,111 women.

According to state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), 1582 EVMs and 1201 ballot boxes were used for polling. The total number of polling stations is 2,783.

The total number of candidates is 435, including 72 in seven seats where EVMs are being used and 363 in five segments where polling was held with ballot papers.