Telangana assembly elections: Telangana turnout leapfrogs to 73.2 percent after 5 pm

HYDERABAD: There was a massive spurt in polling in Telangana after 5pm - when booths are scheduled to shut - and the turnout touched a respectable 73.2%.

While on Friday evening, Election Commission of India declared 67% polling, overall reports gathered from all 119 constituencies by Saturday evening revealed polling percentage had surpassed the 2014 elections figure of 69.5%.

While political pundits differ on impact of a hiked poll percentage, both ruling and Opposition parties claim the spike in poll percentage would work in their favour. Rural and Maoist-hit constituencies recorded highest voting and interestingly polling continued till 6pm in certain constituencies that straddle the Red Corridor.

Victory claims over vote spurt

Final percentage calculation took more than 24 hours due to non-cooperation of district collectors appointed as DEOs to state CEO. Despite repeated phone calls and requests made by CEO’s office, DEOs failed to send reports on time. The final poll percentage of Hyderabad stood at 48.89.

Telangana CEO Rajat Kumar told STOI, “After 5pm, polling officer gives token slips to voters in queue and those who are coming after 5pm are barred. Those given token slips are allowed to vote.”

While CM KCR said people overwhelmingly voted for TRS, state Congress president Uttam Kumar Reddy said his party would win with huge majority.

Former MP Lagadapati Rajagopal said, “With poll percentage crossing 73%, kutami is closer to victory. More poll percentage indicates a wave against the ruling party.” Former MLC and political analyst Prof K Nageswar said, “There is no correlation between voting percentage and results in electoral studies. It is not easy to comment on why poll percentage shot up after 5pm.”

Poll percentage was high in constituencies where Congress candidates are strong. The percentage was lowest in Hyderabad constituencies where AIMIM is strong.