High-Octane Campaign Concludes
The curtains have come down on the high-decibel election campaigning for the Telangana Municipal Elections. Following weeks of intense rallies and public meetings, the mandatory 48-hour silent period began on Monday evening. Major political parties, including the Congress, BRS, and BJP, made final efforts to woo urban voters across the state. With the ban on public gatherings and loudspeaker announcements now in effect, candidates have shifted their focus to door-to-door visits and internal strategic meetings to consolidate their support base before the polling day.
Election Logistics and Scale
The State Election Commission (SEC) has completed all arrangements for the elections being held across 116 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations. A total of 2,996 wards are up for contest, with approximately 12,993 candidates vying for positions. To facilitate a smooth voting process for nearly 52.43 lakh eligible voters, the SEC has established 8,203 polling stations. Authorities have emphasized that strict monitoring is in place to prevent any violations of the Model Code of Conduct during the silent period.
Security and Electoral Significance
To ensure a peaceful voting environment, a massive security blanket featuring nearly 25,000 police personnel has been deployed. The SEC has issued stern warnings against social media campaigning and mobile-based inducements during the silent period. This election is being viewed as a critical three-way battle and a litmus test for the ruling Congress party’s popularity in urban areas, while the BRS and BJP are fighting to strengthen their presence. The polling will take place on February 11, with the counting of votes and declaration of results scheduled for February 13.
