Graduate MLC by poll begins for Khammam – Warangal – Nalgonda District

MOHD OWAISUDDIN OWAIS 
CORRESPONDENT

Khammam, May 26: The polling process begin on Monday as part of the constituencies of the combined Khammam – Warangal – Nalgonda District Legislative Council Constituency by-election. According to the guidelines of the Central Election Commission, armed arrangements have been made by the joint Khammam district officials to conduct polling from 8 am.

The election personnel who took the equipment from the distribution centers set up in the district centers reached the polling centers on Sunday evening. Arrangements have been completed in Khammam and Bhadradri districts for peaceful elections.

As the number of voters has increased in this election compared to the last MLC election, the facilities in the polling centers have been improved based on the increased number of voters. A total of 52 candidates are contesting in this election, out of which three are from recognized political parties namely BRS, Congress and BJP. The remaining 49 candidates are candidates of various registered parties and independent candidates who are not affiliated with any party.

There are 173 polling centers in the entire district. Among them, there are 118 polling centers in Khammam and 55 polling centers in Bhadradri Kottagudem. Presiding, Assistant Presiding Officers and OPOs have reached the polling stations to perform their duties. 20 percent additional staff is available as per EC guidelines.

CCTV cameras have been installed outside the problematic centres. There are 100 percent CCTV suvelliance cameras inside the polling centers as well.  A total of 1,23,985 voters will exercise their right to vote in the combined Khammam district. 83,879 of them are in Khammam district. Among them, 50,676 are men, 33,199 are women and four are transgender.

In Bhadradri district there are 40,106 voters out of which 22,590 are male and 17,516 are female. But the officials say that the voter slips are only for providing information to the voters. Any identity card prescribed by the Election Commission should be carried while coming to the polling station.

Section 144 will be in force throughout the joint district till the end of polling on Monday evening. All liquor shops, bars and restaurants were closed across the district. After the polling, the ballot boxes will be moved to the strong room in Nalgonda amid strong security. Counting will be held on June 5.