The Greater Hyderabad region is all set for the GHMC elections. Officials completed the entire process of polling which will be held on Tuesday. Compared to the last election, this time the GHMC elections are going very competitively. The situation has become a bit tense, especially in the wake of leaders of the BJP, MIM parties throwing challenges and counter-challenges with allegations and abuses at some places. With this, 52,500 police are being deployed across the city to prevent any untoward incidents.
Earlier, Commissioner Anjani Kumar said that as per the instructions of the State Election Commission, tight police security has been set up in all areas, including central and state forces. The police department headed by a CI level officer would work at normal, sensitive, hypersensitive and critical polling stations. Striking Force Emergency Response will be available at all times and 66 police teams have been set up at the hypersensitive polling stations.
The Hyderabad Commissionerate has 29 wards. There are 4976 polling stations. Compared to 2016, 817 new polling stations have been set up. The normal polling stations are 2146 while the problematic polling stations are 1517. There are 167 most problematic polling stations. Anjani Kumar said they are constantly monitoring along with 406 mobile parties.
There are a total of 29 border check posts in Hyderabad. 293 pickets were set up in hypersensitive areas. 4187 guns were deposited by the leaders. 3066 rowdy sheeters became bindovers. Rs. 1.45 crore cash was seized. Drugs, alcohol and other items worth Rs 10 lakh were also seized. 63 complaints and 55 FIRs were registered by the police department.
There will be special surveillance on social media along with geo-tagging to each polling station. 49 pending non-biblical warrants issued. Security is binding by electronic platform. Every polling station is connected through geo tagging. 4 lakh CCTV cameras monitor throughout the day as well as round the clock in the DCP and ACP offices. Live streaming will be held after the election and a special surveillance team will be present at the Strong Room.
There are a total of 74.44 lakh voters in the GHMC constituency and a total of 1132 candidates are in the fray for the GHMC elections. Authorities have finalized arrangements for polling in all 150 wards. Officials will be available at polling stations from 5:30 a.m, Tuesday. Polling begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. The voter must show the individual voter identification card or any one of the identity cards allowed by the Election Commission.