Hyderabad witnessed a low voter turnout during the Lok Sabha elections, with less than 50% of eligible voters casting their votes in the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency. The voting percentage stood at 39.17% till 5 pm on election day.
Despite full-fledged campaigning by political parties, the polling booths in Hyderabad’s Old City remained deserted, with only a few voters showing up to vote. Compared to the Assembly elections held in 2023, the voter turnout was even lower this time.
Efforts were made to encourage residents to come out and vote, including announcements in mosques and appeals from city scholars. However, factors such as missing voter slips and names deleted from the voters’ list contributed to the low voter turnout.
By 5 pm, the voting percentage in various parts of Hyderabad was as follows: Bahadurpura (34.19%), Malakpet (37.87%), Charminar (38%), Chandrayangutta (38.24%), Karwan (40.57%), Yakutpura (41.30%), and Goshamahal (44.05%). These figures are preliminary estimates, with final numbers expected to be released soon.
Compared to previous Lok Sabha elections, this year’s voter turnout in Hyderabad was significantly lower. Some voters reported that they were able to cast their votes quickly due to the low turnout at polling stations.
During the election day, incidents like the BJP candidate checking identity documents of burqa-clad women and alleged manipulations with dummy EVMs led to tensions in certain areas. Despite these incidents, efforts were made by candidates like Asaduddin Owaisi to ensure a smooth voting process.
The hot weather conditions also took a toll, with a home guard collapsing due to heat exhaustion and requiring medical attention. Overall, the election day in Hyderabad was marked by low voter turnout and some controversial incidents involving candidates.
