Over 83% Turnout Recorded in Second Phase of GP Polls in Erstwhile Warangal
Several areas recorded voter participation above the 83 per cent mark, reflecting strong interest among rural voters in electing their local representatives
Warangal: The second phase of gram panchayat elections witnessed a high and enthusiastic turnout across the six districts of the erstwhile Warangal region on Sunday, with polling percentages significantly higher than those recorded in recent Assembly elections.
Several areas recorded voter participation above the 83 per cent mark, reflecting strong interest among rural voters in electing their local representatives.
Warangal district recorded the highest turnout at 88.11 per cent, followed by Hanamkonda with 87.25 per cent and Jayashankar Bhupalpally with 85.25 per cent. Election officials allowed all voters present in queues at the close of polling time to cast their votes, contributing to the high turnout figures.
Elections were conducted in 508 gram panchayats and 4,868 wards across 27 mandals in the erstwhile Warangal region. Of the 564 gram panchayats initially notified for elections, 56 were unanimously elected without contest. A total of 1,686 candidates contested for sarpanch posts, while 9,884 candidates were in the fray for ward member positions.
While polling was largely peaceful, a few isolated incidents were reported. Tension prevailed at Ammapuram village in Thorrur mandal of Mahabubabad district after BRS workers allegedly obstructed and chased away a Congress candidate at a polling station. Police intervened and dispersed the groups.
In a notable instance highlighting voter awareness, a poster was affixed to the wall of a house at Narakkapet village in Nallabelli mandal of Warangal district by a farmer, Radhakrishna, declaring “We are not selling our votes”. The message, advocating electoral integrity amid allegations of inducements, later went viral on social media.
Meanwhile, officials reported several instances of inducements during the election period. Special vigilance teams seized cash amounting to 5.9 lakh and liquor worth 7.13 lakh. There were also reports of distribution of non-vegetarian food, including chicken and mutton, and promises of community halls, land grants and water plants to specific groups. Special transport arrangements were also made by candidates to bring migrant voters back to their native villages.