Warangal Urban: Barring stray incidents of skirmishes, the polling for the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) has passed off peacefully here on Friday. A polling percentage of 49.25 per cent was recorded in GWMC polls by 5 pm. Though the voters have turned up in good numbers in the morning as the polling commenced at 7 am, the voter turnout has come down from 11 am.
While there are a total of 6,52,996 voters under GWMC limits, 11 percent polling was recorded by 9 am and 23.62 per cent by 11 pm. By 1 pm, 37.98 per cent polling was recorded and the polling percentage at 3 pm was 46.81 percent. The poll percentage stood at 49.25 at 5 pm with 3,27,113 voters casting their votes in 66 wards, according to a press release by Additional District Election Authority and GWMC commissioner S Pamela.
It is believed that the corona scare and scorching summer heat had impacted the voters’ turnout. Meanwhile, officials have ensured Covid protocol at the polling stations, and asked the voters to maintain physical distance. Entry was denied to those who did not wear facemasks.
Meanwhile, the TRS workers and an independent candidate have entered into a duel and pelted stones at each other at Islamia College in Warangal. The timely intervention of the police has averted a major clash. It is alleged that the followers of MLA Narender had allegedly attacked the BJP workers and tore their shirts at Shiva Nagar in the city.
Government Chief Whip and MLA Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar along with his wife cast his vote at Waddepally government degree college polling station, while MLA Aruri Ramesh has visited several polling stations to observe the polling trend. Police Commissioner Tarun Joshi inspected the security arrangements by visiting several polling stations. He enquired whether the security personnel were provided with the sanitisers, masks, and face shields to protect from the Covid-19. The last elections for the GWMC were held in 2016 with a total of 6,43,196 voters. The voter turnout stood at 60.38 per cent with 3,88,389 voters casting their votes.
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