The air is charged in Telangana as municipal voting captivates over 52 lakh urban voters today. Kicking off under vigilant eyes across 123 local bodies, polls span 116 municipalities and seven corporations, 2,981 wards, and 8,191 polling stations from 7 AM to 5 PM.
SEC’s elaborate arrangements shine: 1,379 returning officers, 41,773 staff, universal webcasting. Easy access to voter slips via website or TE-Pol app, as urged by Commissioner Rani Kumudini. 12,944 candidates vie intensely—10,719 in municipalities (Congress 2,358, BRS 2,478, BJP 2,252), 2,225 in corporations (Congress 410, BRS 401, BJP 382).
Notable: 12 unopposed wins, but a BJP candidate’s suicide stalled Makthal ward. 6,017 municipal booths for 2,569 wards; 2,174 corporate ones for 412. DGP B. Shivdhar Reddy’s 3,000 additional police fortify 1,302 high-risk and 1,926 sensitive centers.
This isn’t mere routine; it’s urban power recalibration. Potential repolls Thursday, counting Friday, leadership votes 16th February. As families line up, parties eye gains in development-focused races. Telangana’s cities await new stewards committed to progress, cleanliness, and connectivity.