Election Commission orders action against non-local Congress leaders in Jubilee Hills bypoll

The Election Commission has ordered action against non-local Congress leaders in Jubilee Hills bypoll for allegedly attempting to influence voters. BRS complaints highlighted voter intimidation, while polling proceeded slowly amid EVM malfunctions and 10.2% turnout till 9 am.

Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken serious note of the presence of non-local Congress MLAs and MLCs in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency during polling and directed officials to initiate immediate action. The EC expressed displeasure after reports surfaced that Congress MLAs Beerla Ilaiah, Ramachandra Naik and MLC Shankar were moving around polling stations to influence voters.

According to reports, Congress MLC Shankar, along with his followers, created a commotion at the SD Point Hotel in Rahmat Nagar division, while MLA Ramachandra Naik was spotted at another booth. Aler MLA Beerla Ilaiah was seen sitting near a polling station in Rahmat Nagar and interacting with voters. The BRS lodged complaints, alleging that these leaders were indulging in voter influence.

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Tension prevailed at Vengalrao Nagar Booth No. 79, where Matta Dayanand, husband of Sathupalli Congress MLA Matta Ragamayi, was allegedly distributing poll slips and luring voters. BRS leaders filed a complaint with the Returning Officer, accusing him of attempting to sway voters in favour of the ruling party candidate.

Meanwhile, polling continued slowly in the by-election, with 10.2 per cent turnout recorded till 9 am, as voting began late due to EVM malfunctions at several booths.