All arrangements for poll counting in Telangana are set for tomorrow

All arrangements for poll counting in Telangana on December 3rd were made by the Election Commission. A total of 49 counting centres were set up across the state. Counting will start at 8 o’clock in the morning. In the first half-hour, postal ballot votes will be counted, followed by EVM counting. Three-stage security has been arranged in strong rooms where EVMs are stored. A total of 40 central forces companies are providing security for tomorrow’s poll counting centres.

The Election Commission arranged a total of 1766 counting tables. For each constituency, there are 14 counting tables. In 6 constituencies in GHMC, 28 counting tables have been set up. This includes constituencies with more than 400 and 500 polling centres, such as Rajender Nagar, LB Nagar, Sherilingampally, and Maheshwaram. Out of the total counting tables, 131 are allocated for postal ballots, with each table handling 500 votes. A total of 1.80 lakh election staff used postal ballots. Each table comprises six officials, including a microobserver, a counting supervisor, and counting assistants. Each EVM will be counted three times to ensure accuracy, potentially causing a delay in results, according to Telangana Chief Electoral Officer, Vikas Raj.

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Polling Percentage Decreased

In the Telangana assembly polls this time, a polling percentage of 71.34% was recorded, marking a 2.03% decline compared to the 2018 assembly polls, where the polling percentage was 73.37%. The highest polling was recorded in Yadadri Bhongir district with 90.36%, while the lowest polling was recorded in Hyderabad with 47.88%. Urban areas, especially in Hyderabad, witnessed a decline in polling percentage, not crossing 50%. In the 2018 assembly elections, Hyderabad’s voter turnout was 48.89%, and this time it declined by 1%. The constituency with the lowest polling recorded is Yakutpura, with just 39.64%.

KCR Cabinet Meeting

Compared to the 2018 assembly elections, this election has become a tough battle between political parties, mainly between BRS and Congress. Despite majority surveys and pre-polls predicting a Congress victory, BRS remains confident in retaining power for a third term. CM KCR, on Saturday (November 1st), assured his party members not to worry, stating that they are going to form the government for the third time. On the 4th, at 2 p.m., a cabinet meeting chaired by KCR will take place at the Dr. BR Ambedkar Secretariat in Hyderabad. If BRS does not secure a majority, KCR and the cabinet may pass a resolution regarding resignations.