Polling progresses at sluggish pace in erstwhile Adilabad

Polling remained sluggish in 10 municipalities and one municipal corporation in the erstwhile Adilabad district, with just 11.87 per cent turnout by 9 am. Officials attributed the low participation to voters allegedly expecting inducements from candidates.

Adilabad: Voting progressed at a sluggish pace across 10 municipalities and one municipal corporation that went to the polls in the erstwhile Adilabad district on Wednesday, with electors reportedly expecting inducements from candidates.

Officials said that 11 urban civic bodies, namely Mancherial Municipal Corporation, Bellampalli, Chennur, Kyathanpalli, Luxettipet, Adilabad, Asifabad, Kagaznagar, Nirmal, Bhainsa and Khanapur municipalities, recorded an average polling of 11.87 per cent at 9 am, reflecting a poor turnout.

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The lethargic pace was attributed to the alleged distribution of cash by candidates.

“The electors did not come forward to cast their votes expecting they would be approached by candidates of various parties offering cash, liquor and other inducements. They delayed exercising their franchise as they followed a wait-and-see policy. They might participate in the voting process in the afternoon, resulting in a spike of the percentage,” an observer opined.

At 9 am, Mancherial Municipal Corporation registered 9.71 per cent polling, while Bellampalli, Chennur, Kyathanpalli and Luxettipet municipalities recorded 12.44 per cent, 14.83 per cent, 13.92 per cent and 14.3 per cent respectively. Adilabad municipality witnessed 10.7 per cent polling, Asifabad recorded 15.82 per cent and Kagaznagar saw 10.19 per cent.

Nirmal municipality recorded 6.89 per cent polling, while Bhainsa and Khanapur registered 11.91 per cent and 9.89 per cent respectively.

According to officials, 6.70 lakh electors will decide the fate of 1,583 candidates contesting from 328 wards in 10 municipalities and one municipal corporation across Adilabad, Mancherial, Nirmal and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts. Of them, 323 nominees have been fielded by BRS, 307 by the Congress and 288 by the BJP.