Is Polling Happening in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills for 58 Candidates?
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Synopsis
Polling is actively taking place in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills constituency, where more than 400,000 voters are set to determine the fate of 58 candidates amid tight security. With significant political rivalries at play, the use of drones for monitoring is a noteworthy innovation in this electoral process.
Key Takeaways
- Polling commenced at 7 a.m. and will last until 6 p.m.
- A total of 58 candidates are contesting.
- Over 400,000 voters are eligible to vote.
- Security measures include police and drone surveillance.
- Voting technology includes 561 CUs and 2,394 BUs.
Hyderabad, Nov 11 (NationPress) Polling is currently taking place for the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency byelection in Hyderabad, under stringent security measures this Tuesday.
The voting commenced at 7 a.m. across all 407 polling stations within the area, which includes the upscale Jubilee Hills and various middle-class and economically weaker neighborhoods and slums located in the city's core.
Over 400,000 voters are eligible to cast their votes in this byelection, triggered by the passing of the former MLA, Maganti Gopinath, from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
There are a total of 58 candidates competing, with the primary rivalry being between the ruling Congress party and the opposing BRS and BJP.
The BRS has nominated Gopinath's spouse, Sunitha, while Naveen Yadav represents Congress. The BJP has once again put forward Lankala Deepak Reddy.
Sunitha was among the earliest voters at Yellareddyguda Srinagar colony, encouraging all eligible voters to participate.
Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharshan Reddy announced that polling would last until 6 p.m., allowing voters in line at that time to complete their voting.
The Election Commission has implemented comprehensive measures to guarantee smooth, fair, and transparent polling.
For the first time, drones have been utilized for surveillance at polling stations, with 139 drones employed for centralized aerial oversight and live situation assessment, according to the CEO.
The drones will facilitate close monitoring of the electoral process at 407 polling stations spread across 139 locations. This real-time surveillance will offer a comprehensive view of polling stations and aid authorities in swiftly identifying any disruptions.
A control center has been established at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) headquarters to oversee drone operations.
Hyderabad District Election Officer R.V. Karnan mentioned that live webcasting has been arranged at all polling locations to ensure peaceful voting and maintain law and order.
Out of the 407 polling stations in 65 areas, 226 have been classified as critical, necessitating the deployment of paramilitary forces.
A total of 2,060 polling personnel were assigned to duty, comprising 515 polling officers and an equal number of assistant polling officers.
Given the considerable number of candidates, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been equipped at all stations, which include one Control Unit (CU), four Ballot Units (BUs), and one VVPAT. In total, 561 CUs, 2,394 BUs, and 595 VVPATs were deployed.
Mobile counters have been set up at each polling station to assist voters in depositing their mobile phones prior to voting and retrieving them after.
According to Tafseer Iqbal, Joint Commissioner of Police, 1,761 police personnel have been allocated to maintain order.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were stationed at 68 polling locations.
In total, 401,365 voters reside in the constituency, comprising 208,561 males, 192,779 females, and 25 others.
The District Election Officer reported 6,859 voters aged between 18-19 years, while 2,134 voters are over 85 years old.
Additionally, 103 absentee voters above 85 years and those with disabilities opted for postal ballots, with 101 utilizing this voting method.
Point of View
It is imperative to acknowledge the significance of the Jubilee Hills byelection in shaping the political landscape. The active participation of voters amidst enhanced security and innovative monitoring techniques reflects a robust democratic process. The outcomes here could have far-reaching implications for the parties involved.
NationPress
11/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for the byelection in Jubilee Hills?
The byelection was necessitated by the passing of the sitting MLA, Maganti Gopinath, from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
How many candidates are contesting in this byelection?
There are a total of 58 candidates competing in the Jubilee Hills byelection.
What security measures are in place during the polling?
Tight security measures have been implemented, including the deployment of 1,761 police personnel and the use of drones for surveillance.
What time will the polling conclude?
Polling will continue until 6 p.m., with voters in line at that time permitted to cast their votes.
How many voters are eligible to vote in this constituency?
There are 401,365 eligible voters in the Jubilee Hills constituency.
