Clashes, EVM glitches, rigging charges mar Jubilee Hills bypoll; Three Congress MLAs booked

The Jubilee Hills Assembly byelection witnessed a marginally higher voter turnout but was overshadowed by EVM malfunctions, allegations of bogus voting, and Model Code of Conduct violations. The BRS and Congress traded serious accusations, with multiple FIRs filed and the Election Commission stepping in to ensure order.

Hyderabad: Polling for the high-stakes Jubilee Hills Assembly byelection on Tuesday saw a marginally higher voter turnout but was marred by EVM glitches, sporadic clashes and allegations of large-scale rigging and cash distribution.

Amid widespread complaints of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations, the Election Commission (EC) ordered action against several Congress leaders, while police registered multiple cases, including against three sitting MLAs.

As of 5 pm, Jubilee Hills recorded a turnout of 47.16 per cent, the lowest among all constituencies that went to bypolls across the country on Tuesday, though marginally higher than the 2023 Assembly election figure. Officials said voting concluded at 6 pm, but those already in queues were allowed to cast their votes.

Voting began at 7 am across 407 polling stations and was briefly disrupted at nine booths due to technical snags. The affected polling centres included Borabanda, Rahmatnagar, Vengalrao Nagar and Shaikpet.

At Booth No. 348 in Borabanda, polling was halted for over an hour, while glitches in Booths 165 and 166 in Rahmatnagar and Booth 30 in Shaikpet caused delays.

District Election Officer RV Karnan said all technical issues were rectified promptly, and polling resumed smoothly thereafter.

BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha, who cast her vote at Sri Krishna Devaraya Welfare Centre in Yellareddyguda, appealed to citizens to exercise their franchise in large numbers. However, the day turned tense with frequent clashes and allegations of political misconduct.

Early in the morning, Congress leader Baba Fasiuddin allegedly attacked a BRS worker at the Borabanda booth, triggering protests. Condemning the incident, Sunitha accused the police of acting as ‘agents of the Congress’ and failing to ensure free and fair polling.

“The ruling party is using rowdy sheeters and outsiders to threaten voters. If this continues, we will be forced to respond politically,” she warned.

The BRS lodged a series of complaints with the EC, accusing the Congress of distributing cash to influence voters, particularly near Booth No. 203 in Vengalrao Nagar.

BRS leaders said Congress workers were caught red-handed offering money, violating provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. They alleged police inaction and demanded suspension of erring officers and deployment of central forces.

The EC took serious note of reports that non-local Congress MLAs and MLCs were moving around in the constituency to influence voters. Those named included Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, MLAs Beerla Ilaiah and Ramachandra Naik, and MLC Shankar Naik.

Following the EC’s directive, police registered three FIRs, two at Madhuranagar Police Station and one at Borabanda, against Congress MLAs Beerla Ilaiah, Ramachandra Nayak and Ramdas Maloth. Another case was filed at Borabanda Police Station against former BRS MLAs Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar and Methuku Anand.

Tension escalated in the afternoon after BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan alleged bogus voting at Al Falah School in Diamond Hills Colony, Shaikpet. He said Congress leaders brought women in burqas from outside areas to cast fake votes without voter IDs.

“This is not an election but a mockery of democracy,” Sravan said, blaming election officials and police for ‘silent complicity’.

Later, a scuffle broke out at Apex High School in Samatha Colony, Shaikpet, when a group of Congress workers prevented Dasoju Sravan and RS Praveen Kumar from reviewing the polling process. Police intervened and resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the groups. Additional forces were deployed in the area to prevent further tension.

Earlier in the day, Maganti Sunitha staged a dharna near the Krishna Nagar booth, alleging that Congress supporters were casting fake votes using altered photo identity cards, including in the names of deceased persons.

“They even voted in the name of a woman who died months ago,” she alleged. BRS workers said they had caught several women attempting to vote with forged IDs at Amaravati School in Srinagar Colony, while others fled when confronted.

Sunitha also said Congress candidate Naveen Yadav had deployed rowdy sheeters to intimidate voters and BRS agents.

“They are distributing biryani packets and Rs 5,000 cash to buy votes. The police are watching silently,” she alleged, adding that several BRS activists were detained during the protest.

A BRS delegation led by former MLA Bollam Mallaiah Yadav submitted multiple complaints to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Telangana, alleging large-scale poll malpractices by the Congress. He accused the ruling party of resorting to ‘systematic hooliganism’ out of fear of defeat.

“More than 60 complaints have been filed with the EC against Congress leaders for violating poll norms,” he said.

Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudarshan Reddy said he had taken serious note of the violations and directed officials to ensure strict enforcement of the MCC. He confirmed that EVMs were replaced at nine stations and that paramilitary forces were deployed in sensitive locations.

Authorities monitored polling through drone surveillance and live webcasting across 139 sensitive areas. Counting of votes will be held on November 14.