Despite awareness campaigns, first phase sees low voter turnout in Hyderabad

After attaining statehood in 2014, Telangana witnessed first ever Lok Sabha elections on April 11. However, the people in Hyderabad gave the polls a miss once again. The Greater Hyderabad region recorded the lowest turnout of 42.24 per cent in the elections despite the month-long campaign by Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to ensure higher voter turnout.

The three Lok Sabha constituencies - Hyderabad recorded 39.49 per cent voting, Secunderabad - 44.9 per cent and Malkajgiri registered 49.11 per cent. Also, the Chevella Lok Sabha constituency recorded 53 per cent polling.

Telangana had recorded 72 per cent voting in Lok Sabha Polls 2014. Both Hyderabad and Secunderabad registered more than 53 per cent voter turnout.

The entire state of Telangana witnessed an estimated 61 per cent of voters cast their ballot. All the 17 segments, including Nizamabad that saw over 170 farmers contesting demanding remunerative price for their produce, went to polls in the single phase and till 5 pm, 60.57 per cent voting was recorded.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, the Chief Minister, TRS Working President K T Rama Rao, Kavitha and Asaduddin Owaisi were among those who cast their votes. Film actors Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, junior NTR and ‘Baahubali’ director SS Rajamouli were among the other prominent people who exercised their franchise in the polls. KCR, along with his wife Shobha cast his vote in Chintamadaka village in Siddipet district.

As many as 145 companies of central paramilitary forces, besides over 55,000 state police were deployed for security arrangements in the state. Rajat Kumar said election officials, along with Police, seized unaccounted cash and goods worth Rs 74.60 crore since the model code of conduct came into force last month.