Hyderabad: The polling percentage in the GHMC limits was a mere 48.7 per cent by 5 pm, as per Election Commission of India (ECI) data. Some polling stations wore a deserted look even at 4.30 pm, 30 minutes prior to the closure time.
At Yakutpura in the Old City, only 25 per cent of voters turned up, while in Serilingampally, which covers a major part of the IT corridor, only a 48.60 per cent turnout was recorded. However, polling continued past 5 pm in some stations where there were long queues. The final figure will be available on Friday.
“Around 50 lakh electors spread over 24 constituencies under GHMC limits did not cast their votes," said an official from the state election authority.
Incidentally, polling stations at Gautam Model School in Jubilee Hills, Sri Venkateshwara College of Fine Arts in Madhapur, Richmonds High School in Kamalapuri colony (Jubilee Hills), Government junior college at Malakpet, property tax collection counter in Madhapur, Narayana junior college in SR Nagar were deserted even after 4 pm.
The lowest polling percentage was recorded at Yakutpura (27.87 per cent), followed by Nampally (32.4 per cent) and Chandrayangutta (39 per cent).
In Yakutpura several of them were not interested in voting, they told this correspondent, while in Nampally there were many duplicate entries.
The highest polling percentage was recorded in Patancheru (69.72 per cent) followed by Maheshwaram (53.14 per cent) and Quthbullapur (52.80 per cent).
Though these constituencies fall technically within GHMC limits, a major portion of the constituency comprises urban local bodies (ULBs) that are located on the city's outskirts and have less number of urban voters.
Pooja Pritmani, who cast her vote in Madhapur, said that polling was very low while first-time voter Praveen Chadlavada from Jubilee Hills said that he was excited.
Meanwhile, the polling percentage in Hyderabad district, which was only 4.85% till 9 am, closed at 47.14 %.
GHMC limits:
Number of constituencies: 24
Lowest polling percentage by 5 pm
Yakutpura: 27.87 %
Nampally: 32.4 %
Chandrayangutta: 39 %
Constituencies with the highest polling percentage:
Patancheru: 69.72%
Maheshwaram: 53.14%
Quthbullapur: 52.80%
