Telangana elections: Anger pours online over Hyderabad's low voter turnout

Several others blamed the poor polling percentage on mismanagement by the state election commission.
Representational photo for Telanaga Assembly elections. (Photo | EPS)
Representational photo for Telanaga Assembly elections. (Photo | EPS)

HYDERABAD: Lakhs of Hyderabadis thronged IKEA the day it opened shop in the city, they turned up in droves for the launch of Subbayya Hotel and also wait in serpentine queues before liquor shops every day, however nearly half the city kept from polling on Friday. 

Nearly half the city did not turn up to vote. The half that voted has now gone all out on social networking site Twitter, calling out the other half that stayed home to enjoy the holiday meant for voting. Several accounts rued that it was the same crowd that time again complains of governments not doing their part for the people which goes on to not even bother voting. “City roads were empty but ORR saw a traffic jam on poll day. Holiday was to vote, but educated bunch misused it,” a user posted.

Several others blamed the poor polling percentage on mismanagement by the state election commission. “Jumbling of polling booths everywhere lead to ‘No Vote’. Wife to cast vote in Moula Ali & husband in R K puram. Extremely displeased with jumbling of polling booths. Citizens return back without casting vote,” a Twitter user Robin Zaccheus posted.

A viral tweet highlighted how Adilabad, a backward district, had a better voter turnout. “Adilabad - 76.50%. Hyderabad - 50.83%. Now, say again, which is most backward district in Telangana?” another tweet read referring to state CEO’s early estimates of voter turnout.

Doubts were expressed on efficiency of steps taken by election commission to improve turnout “I heard between 4 pm and 5 pm polling agents distributed unpolled votes among themselves, the webcast prevented that?” said Uma, a voter from Serilingampally which had 48 per cent turnout.

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