Polling for the first phase of the Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad territorial constituencies ( ZPTCs and MPTCs) ended on Monday.
While elections were notified for 197 ZPTCs and 2,166 MPTCs, polling was conducted for 195 ZPTCs and 2,097 MPTCs as candidates in two ZPTCs and 69 MPTCs were declared elected unanimously.
The polling process was smooth and people enthusiastically participated in the election process going by the high percentage of polling of around 80% reported from all the districts.
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People thronged the polling stations right from the commencement of voting at 7 a.m. and picked up pace after 9 a.m.
Polling percentage was 43.28 by 11 a.m., 58.58 by 1 p.m. and 68.33 by 3 p.m. Voter turnout was around 80 at the end of the polling hours, but people standing in queues at 5 p.m. were given slips to enable them exercise their franchise. As queues continued at the polling stations in some districts after the scheduled polling hours, officials were yet to receive information about the total voting percentage.
The polling was by and large peaceful, barring minor incidents. Voting was stopped at Kankanalagudem in Yadadri Bhongir district as ballot papers were devoid of the name of an Independent candidate. Residents of some villages in Khammam district boycotted the polls in protest against the failure of the officials in setting up polling station in their village.
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The second phase of polling is scheduled on May 10 and the third and final phase on May 14.
\The results of the elections would be announced on May 27 in line with the Election Commission’s guidelines.
The EC wanted the Telangana State Election Commission to withhold the announcement of results till the results of the Lok Sabha announced on May 23.
Meanwhile, in a late night development, the overall poll percentage in the first phase has been pegged at 76.8.
Mancherial district reported the lowest 66.86% of polling while Yadadri-Bhongir registered the highest of 86.19% polling.
Suryapet district with 85.46 and Khammam with 85.58 per cent also registered huge polling.