Hyderabad: Counting of votes in the high-stakes byelection to the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency will begin at 8 am on Friday at the Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium, Yousufguda. The early trends are expected by 10 am and a clear picture is likely to emerge by 12 noon.
Political analysts believe that the 34 booths which recorded over 60 per cent polling and 192 booths where voting exceeded 50 per cent will be decisive. Booths in Rahmathnagar, Borabanda, Erragadda, and Vengalraonagar divisions are being closely monitored for their potential to swing the final outcome.
The result is being closely watched as it is projected to shape the political momentum ahead of the local body elections likely in December and the GHMC elections scheduled for early next year. The bypoll has evolved into a triangular battle between the ruling Congress, and opposition BRS and BJP.
The byelection was necessitated following the death of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June. His wife, Maganti Sunitha, is contesting as the BRS nominee, while the Congress has fielded V. Naveen Yadav, supported by the AIMIM. The BJP’s candidate is Lankala Deepak Reddy.
For the Congress, a victory would validate its urban strategy and reinforce Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s popularity. A defeat could be seen as a setback in the party’s attempt to consolidate its urban footprint. For the BRS, success would signal revival after its consecutive defeats in the 2023 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, while a loss would further dent its morale. The BJP, on the other hand, views the contest as an opportunity to expand its base in Hyderabad’s urban pockets and establish itself as a credible alternative to Congress and BRS.
Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudarshan Reddy said the counting process would begin with scrutiny and counting of postal ballots before moving to votes polled through EVMs. The Election Commission has permitted 42 counting tables, given the unusually high number of 59 candidates, including the ‘None of the Above (Nota)’ option.
The counting process is expected to be completed in a maximum of 10 rounds. A total of 186 officials, including supervisors, assistants, and micro-observers, have been deployed. Real-time updates will be displayed on LED screens and through the Election Commission’s app for complete transparency.
District election officer R.V. Karnan stated that counting would begin with 101 postal ballots before EVM counting begins. He added that out of the total 4,01,365 registered voters, 1,94,631 exercised their franchise, recording a turnout of 48.49 per cent.
Of the 407 polling stations, one witnessed below 30 per cent polling, while 71 booths saw between 30 and 40 per cent turnout, 143 booths between 40 and 50 per cent, 158 between 50 and 60 per cent, 30 between 60 and 70 per cent, and only four booths registered turnout above 70 per cent.
Political analysts believe that the 34 booths which recorded over 60 per cent polling and 192 booths where voting exceeded 50 per cent will be decisive. Particularly, booths in Rahmathnagar, Borabanda, Erragadda, and Vengalraonagar divisions are being closely monitored for their potential to swing the final outcome.
Elaborate security measures have been put in place. Joint commissioner of police Tafseer Iqbal said special police teams from all divisions have been deployed, and prohibitory orders under Section 144 are in effect around the counting centre to prevent gatherings of more than 20 persons.
At the political parties headquarters, anticipation is high. With most exit polls predicting a comfortable victory for the ruling Congress, Gandhi Bhavan in Nampally has been decked up for celebrations. Party workers and local leaders have placed orders for crackers and sweets to mark an early celebration once trends start emerging around 10 am.
TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud said party workers within GHMC limits had voluntarily planned the celebrations. “It has been a long-standing tradition in the Congress that local leaders and workers take the initiative to celebrate, and we cannot stop their enthusiasm,” he said.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, after reviewing the polling trend with senior leaders on Tuesday, is said to have expressed confidence of winning by a margin of 7,000 to 15,000 votes.
Though the result will not affect the stability of the Congress government, the outcome will serve as a referendum on the performance of two-year old Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana and the shifting political dynamics not only in Hyderabad but across Telangana.
