Telangana Is All Set for GP Polls Today

Hyderabad:State Election Commission (SEC) secretary I. Rani Kumudini on Wednesday said all arrangements for sarpanch elections for the first phase were made in 3,834 villages on December 11. Police have seized Rs 7.54 crore cash, liquor, drugs, freebies by implementing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Speaking to media persons at the State Election Commission office, Rani Mukudini said the gram panchayat elections will be held from 7 am to 1 pm and the counting will take place as soon as the elections are completed.

"The vice-sarpanch elections will also be held on Thursday after announcing the results of sarpanch elections. The polling will be held in 3,834 villages and 27,628 wards. Already, 395 sarpanches were elected unopposed in the first phase. A total `8.2 crore has been seized in police checks across the state," Rani Kumudi said.

The secretary said that they have instructed the district administration to complete the distribution of voter slips by Wednesday and set up a call centre with toll-free facility to receive any complaint.

Rani Kumudi appealed to the voters to participate in the first phase of the gram panchayat elections. “Vote is your voice and it plays an important role in strengthening local governance and sharing the future of your village. come forward without fear or hesitation and cast your vote with confidence and responsibility," she explained.

Speaking about the violation of model code of conduct, she said a total 3,214 FIRs were registered, while 31,428 persons were bound over before the mandal tahsildars and 902 licensed arms were deposited before the police. A total of Rs 1.70 crore cash was seized, Rs 2.84 crore liquor, drug and narcotics worth Rs 2.22 crore and freebies worth Rs 64 lakh were seized.

First phase Panchayats elections

ELECTION SNAPSHOT

Mandals notified: 189

Villages notified: 4,236

Polling stations: 37,562

Total Voters: 56,19,430

Men: 27,41,070

Women: 28,78,159

Others: 201

SARPANCH POLLS

Gram panchayats notified: 4,236 villages

Elections stayed by court: One village

No nominations received: 5 villages

Sarpanch elected unopposed: 396 villages

Poll scheduled in phase-1: 3,834 villages

Contesting candidates: 12,960

WARD POLLS

Wards notified: 37,440

Ward members polls stayed: 10

No nominations for ward members: 169 wards

Ward members elected unopposed: 9,633

Ward members polling: 27,628

Contesting candidates: 65,455

Total FIRs: 3,214

Persons bound over: 3,1428

Licensed guns deposited: 902

Cash seizure: Rs 1,70,58,340

Liquor worth seized: Rs 2,84,97,631

Drugs seized: 2,22,91,714

precious metals/ornaments: Rs 12,15,500

Others: Rs 64,15,350