Final phase of Panchayat polls records 85.77 per cent turnout; counting under way

Polling for the third and final phase of Telangana’s Panchayat elections concluded with a high voter turnout of 85.77 per cent. Early trends showed Congress gaining an edge, winning around 6,600 gram panchayats, while the opposition BRS secured nearly 3,500 villages and remained competitive in 1,500 panchayats.

Hyderabad: Polling for the third and final phase of Panchayat elections concluded on Wednesday with a voter turnout of 85.77 per cent. The early trends from counting indicated an upper hand for the ruling Congress, even as the main opposition BRS remained a close competitor.

The third phase covered 3,752 gram panchayats, completing the three-phase rural polls covering 12,727 gram panchayats across 31 districts.

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Voting began at 7 am and continued till 1 pm, with officials allowing all voters standing in queues to exercise their franchise. Counting of votes commenced at 2 pm, starting with ward member results, followed by Sarpanch election results.

Elections for Deputy Sarpanch posts will be held subsequently through meetings of elected ward members. Election officials said all results are likely to be declared by late at night.

Based on the results announced so far, the Congress has won around 6,600 gram panchayats including unanimous elections in three phases. Despite being in the opposition, the BRS secured nearly 3,500 villages and gave a close fight in about 1,500 panchayats.

While polling remained largely peaceful, isolated incidents of violence and irregularities were reported in a few districts. In Mittapalli village of Chennur constituency, ballot boxes were allegedly stolen, triggering protests by former BRS MLA Balka Suman, who demanded strict action.

Clashes between Congress and BRS workers were reported in parts of Khammam, Mahabubabad, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Vikarabad and Rangareddy districts, leading to minor injuries and police intervention.

Police seized Rs 28,500 in cash from a Sarpanch candidate in Karimnagar district, while in Vikarabad, a BRS candidate was injured in an attack by the Congress cadre and was shifted to a hospital. Authorities said additional forces were deployed and situations were brought under control swiftly.

The State Election Commission maintained that barring sporadic incidents, the final phase concluded smoothly, bringing the rural electoral exercise to a close.