Hyderabad: Despite the many campaigns to increase voting, polling in the city fell two percentage points to 50.86 from 52.09 per cent in 2014, according to Election Commission figures. The Old City did worse,
Secunderabad constituency recorded the highest turnout with 57 per cent and Nampally the lowest at 44.02 per cent. Surprisingly, the polling percentage in Secundera-bad segment remained unchanged from the last time.
Polling began on a dull note and continued to progress a snail’s pace in the city Hyderabad roads wore a deserted look on the polling day on Friday. There were huge traffic jams at the toll gates on all sides.
It is said people gave preference to their weekend plans than to casting votes. The figure in the Old City dropped by at least four percentage points in Karwan, Goshamahal, Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Yakutpura and Bahadurpura constituencies.
The voting percentage rose in Malakpet (45.62 per cent in 2014 to 55.54) and Jubilee Hills (50.53 per cent in 2014 to 54.60 per cent).
A senior GHMC official said the series of holidays was the reason for the low turnout.
Many voters left for home in other areas or on a holiday.
“Had the polling date been midweek there would have been a rise in the voting percentage. Our awareness campaigns for citizens once again became useless”, the official told this newspaper on Friday.
