The final voting percentage in the just-concluded elections to 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana stood at 62.69, 2% higher than the turnout announced by the State election authorities on Thursday.
Khammam topped the list with 75.28% polling, 7% higher than 67.96% announced on Thursday, followed closely by Bhongir -- 74.39% and Nalgonda -- 74.11%. Interestingly, the polling percentage in Secunderabad -- 39.2 % and Hyderabad -- 39.49 %), which was below 40 % according to initial estimates, increased significantly after the final reports came in. The final polling percentage in Hyderabad was accordingly pegged at 44.75% and that of Secunderabad at 46.26%. Voting percentage in Chevella registered marginal drop from the initially projected 53.8% to 53.22%.
Polling percentage in Nizamabad district is reported to be over 68%, 14% higher than the 54% projected on Thursday.
Late night voting
Officials said that the significant rise in voting in Nizamabad constituency, where 185 contestants were in the fray, was because of the fact that voting continued till late in the night. Polling percentage in constituencies like Mahabubnagar, Zaheerabad, and Karimnagar registered a marginal rise after the final figures were received by the election authorities. Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar led the team of officials in gathering accurate information about the polling percentage in different constituencies, including Nizamabad and Karimnagar, where polling continued till late evening.
“We took time to compile the total polling percentage as an accurate report has to be sent to the Election Commission. The figures once announced cannot be taken back,” a senior election official said.