Curtains on campaigning today

Holds-no-bar campaigning for the 16 of the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies set to come to end by 5 pm today.

However, an hour extension has been granted to Nizamabad, where a record 185 candidates remain in the fray.   In all, about 2,87,08,499 voters are set to take part in the polls to chose 17 MPs from the new state.

Arrangements are being put in place and the state’s chief election officer, Rajat Kumar, held series of meetings on Monday to ensure smooth conduct of polls.

Speaking to newsmen, he said the Centre has taken to reduce the poll timings in naxal-infested areas across the country.

Some of those areas identified In Telangana state are; Sirpur and Asifabad (in Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency limits), Chennur, Bellampalli, Mancheriyal and Manthani (all in Peddapalli LS), Bhupalampalli (in Warangal LS), Mulugu, Pinapaka, Yellandu and Bhadrachalm (all in Mahabubabad LS), Kothagudem, Ashwaraopet (in Khammam), where the poll timings are set between 7 am to 4 pm.

He said as many as 34,804 polling stations have been set up across the state.

According to him, so far 480 cases have been registered for violation of poll conduct and 579 cases in connection with complaints on ‘paid news’.  A comprehensive report has already been submitted to the  Chief Election Commission.

He said 11 types of identity cards are accepted by the Returning Officers at polling booths to enable he or she to cast vote.

Meanwhile, almost all major parties are jubilant over winning maximum number of seats. The ruling TRS is confident to bag all 16 of the 17 Lok Sabha seats.

Congress and BJP too are not lagging behind in their claims.  If the Congress leadership feels it can easily with more than half a dozen, then the BJP too expressing confidence to improve their tally from one to couple of seats.