HYDERABAD: The poll bugle has been sounded for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. Putting an end to a two month-long suspense, the State Election Commission on Wednesday announced the schedule for GHMC polls to be held on November 23. Votes will be counted on November 26.
Addressing a packed media conference at his office on Thursday, State Election Commissioner AVS Reddy stated that the elections will be held for 150 wards in GHMC limits and a formal notification will be issued in this regard on October 31. Candidates can file the nominations from October 31 and the last date for submission of nomination is November 6. The scrutiny of nominations will be on November 7 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is on November 10. The final list of candidates will be published on the same day.
On November 23, the polling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm where Electronic Voting Machines will be used for the first time in local body elections.
Election to the offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of GHMC will be conducted on December 6 for which a formal notification will be issued on December 2. In case the election cannot be held on December 6, it will be held on December 7. The model code of conduct has come into force from 4 pm on Wednesday. The State Election Commission is preparing a special circular to avoid interruptions to government programmes.
“Hyderabad being the State capital, there are certain problems or limitations in implementing the model code of conduct. There are several Statewide programmes which will be affected due to the model code of conduct.
The State Election Commission is preparing a circular in this context without interrupting such regular programmes. However, we request everyone, including political parties and the media not to blow issues out of proportion keeping in view the larger interests of the public,” said AVS Reddy.
Total number of Wards 150
Reserved 92
Unreserved 58
Total number of electors 54,26,106
Male 28,35,578
Female 25,90,528
Total Polling St ations 5,663
Men 1,239
Women 1,184
General 2,962
Auxiliary 278
Sensitive 560
Hyper sensitive 465
EVMs to be used 15,000
Polling personnel 48,000
Rosaiah rides the poll wagon
Chief Minister K Rosaiah had a hectic day on Wednesday laying foundation stones and inaugurating development schemes across the city, thus raising the curtain for the hustle and bustle of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections.
In his maiden tour of Greater Hyderabad, Rosaiah accompanied by Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and MPs promised all things to all people. Rosaiah’s tour started at ACS Nagar in East Marredpally where he laid the foundation stone for JNNURM Housing Colony.
Health Minister for Health D Nagender, Minister for Backward Classes Mukesh Goud, Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy, Secunderabad MLA Jayasudha, Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav participated in the tour.
YSR wishes ko salaam
“As per the wishes of the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, we will construct houses under the JNNURM with proper infrastructural facilities.
If the beneficiary invests Rs 1 lakh, we will pay the remaining Rs 3 lakh to help him complete his house,” Chief Minister K Rosaiah said. “Under JNNURM, Rs 4,000 crore has been spent to develop localities under GHMC in the last few years,” he said adding that 1.2 lakh houses would be built. A foundation stone was laid for the IDH Colony near Bhoiguda.
Three reservoirs
Proposals for three reservoirs by HMWS&SB at Chilkalguda, Chanchalguda and Santhoshnagar acquired life with the Chief Minister laying the foundation stones for them.
Suburbs in focus
In the suburbs, foundation stones were laid for many infrastructure projects.
They included road-widening works between Ambedkar University and Kavuri Hills, a new road from Madhapur to Raheja Park. The tour concluded at BHEL junction after laying a foundation stone for Central Modern Lighting from BHEL Junction to Nakka Vagu. Rosaiah talked of the upcoming joint venture of BHEL-NTPC at Srikalahasti and expansion of the Visakha steel plant.
Taatha is here!
Wherever CM Rosaiah went, children cheered him, singing songs and addressing him as grandfather (taatha). Surprisingly, the Chief Minister disappointed locals in all the locations he visited, by not interacting with them. Many wanted to have a word or two with the newly-appointed CM but Rosaiah did not seem to have the time.
No politics please
Rosaiah steered clear of any political statements throughout his tour. He did not hit out at the Opposition parties like the TDP or TRS or their leaders. He confined himself to stating what the government was doing.