Telangana assembly elections 2023 voting highlights: Voting concudes; 63.94% polling till 5 pm, says EC

Polling concluded peacefully in the 13 assembly segments affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in Telangana at 4 pm on Thursday. Voting booths in Telangana began operations at 7 am across the 119 assembly constituencies, with polling scheduled to conclude at 5 pm in 106 of those constituencies.

Congress hopes to make gains in the Upper region as the contest becomes increasingly bipolar due to weakening of the BJP, and Lower region due to its guarantees and traction amongst minorities, SC-ST and BCs. AIMIM and BJP appear to be spoiling its chances in GHMC, without which victory could still elude the Congress. The party needs to crack the GHMC code to win these elections.

BRS has been sweeping Upper Telangana in the last two elections winning 80 percent-plus of the seats. While BRS has consolidated its position in Lower Telangana as well in 2018 vis-a-vis 2014 at the expense of Andhra-based parties, Congress wins bulk of its seats from this zone because of it sharing borders with Andhra where it was relatively strong in united Andhra. The party has high hopes from this zone as it is the ST belt where it is gaining traction

Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj told reporters polling was peaceful, except for minor skirmishes at one or two places. Observing that voter turnout was low in urban areas, he hoped it would pick up as the day progressed. EVMs had to be changed at a couple of places, he added.

Telangana has an urban population of around 48 percent which is higher than the national average of 35 percent living in cities and towns. 41 seats are in urban while 78 are in rural areas. Of the 41, urban seats, 28 are in GHMC. BJP and AIMIM have won all their seats in the last two polls from urban areas. Congress strike rate in urban areas is poor (7 percent) while BRS enjoys almost similar support in both urban and rural areas (70 percent). The visible development in and around Hyderabad, growth of the IT sector, and a high per capita income have added to BRS clout in urban areas.

In Upper Telangana, agriculture dominates the economic landscape. In 10 of the 49 seats, the victory margin in 2018 was less than 5 percent. Beedi rolling, a household industry, contributes significantly to economic activity among women in Nizamabad. The National Turmeric Board recently announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has injected a new dimension into the political discourse. Telangana, being the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the country, has seen this issue take centrestage, at least in this region. Half of the SC reserved seats are in this zone (10/19) where BRS has a good hold.

Clashes were reported at a polling booth in Huzurnagar in Suryapet district earlier on November 30.

EVM at Hyderabad polling booth was malfunctioning, claim voters.

live: Here's a look at key points

Total ACs: 119

Polling Stations: 35,356

Control Units: 57,992

Ballot Units: 72,931

VVPAT: 56,747

Total Electorates: 3,17,17,389

Male Electorates: 1,58,71,493

Female Electorates: 1,58,43,339

Third Gender: 2,557

Tripura Governor-designate Nallu Indrasena Reddy said, "This is voters' day...If you want to keep democracy alive you have to cast your votes. Don't think of it as a holiday..."

BRS, Congress attack me behind my back because they know they can't defeat me, said BJP MP Bandi Sanjay after casting his vote.

Actor Mahesh Babu cast his vote at a polling booth in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad today.

Actor Rajasekhar arrives at Jubilee Hills Public School in Hyderabad to cast his vote in Telangana Assembly elections.

BJP candidate Etela Rajender, facing KCR in Gajwel, casts his vote in Kamalapur, Hanamkonda district.

Delhi Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, "Telangana people are very clear today there is a wave in the favour of Congress and the Congress in my calculation will win 78 seats out of the 119 seats...KCR is going to lose from the second seat which he is fighting and it's going to be landslide victory of Congress..."

"I heard that the polling percentage is little low. I request all the young guys, who have their voting ID and election card to come and vote. Come with your families and vote, you should do it," says actor Vijay Deverakonda after casting his vote in Hyderabad.

As polling for the assembly elections in five states comes to a close with the triangular contest in Telangana, all eyes will be on the exit poll predictions set to trickle in from 6.30 pm. The predictions will be give an indication of how the parties could fare in various states that voted to elect members for their assemblies.

KCR’s son KT Rama Rao (KTR), who is contesting from Siricilla for the fourth time, is facing a tough fight against his Congress rival KK Mahendar Reddy. Reddy, who was a trusted follower of KCR during the statehood movement, defected to the Congress after KCR zeroed in on the Siricilla seat in 2009 for his US returnee son.

AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi casts his vote at a polling booth in Hyderabad.

Telangana BSP president RS Praveen casts vote in Adilabad.

BRS supremo, KCR, known for his risk appetite (recall how he called snap polls in 2018), is apparently averse to venturing into changing sitting MLAs fearing it might invite intra-party troubles before the elections. Therefore, KCR dropped only four sitting MLAs while releasing a list of candidates for 115 out of 119 segments in one go.

The failure of the Dharani portal, an Integrated Land Records System launched by the incumbent government, Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project barrage which has come under the scrutiny of the National Dam Safety Authority after six piers showed signs of damage, and single family rule were some of the key issues raised by the Congress in its campaign.

The electorate comprises 1,63,13,268 men, 1,63,02,261 women, and 2,676 third-gender persons. In 78 of the 119 constituencies, women voters outnumber men. Just as in 2018, this year, too, more women are expected to exercise their franchise.

A major controversy has erupted in poll-bound Telangana over alleged engineering lapses in the Rs 1.5 lakh crore Kaleshwaram project, with the Opposition parties, including the Congress and the BJP, accusing the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao or KCR of corruption.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Vikram Singh Mann inspected the polling stations in Harijan Basti, Gudimalkapur and other areas of Karwan Assembly constituency in Hyderabad.

Karnataka minister speaks on usage of deepfakes in state poll campaigning.

"Deepfakes are becoming a problem and it was the BJP that used it for the first time in politics. Now, deepfakes are being used cutting across political lines," said Karnataka Health minister on usage of deepfakes in Telangana poll campaigning.

"More than expectation, it's about hope. It's not only about what you want," said actor Ram Pothineni after casting his vote at a polling booth in Hyderabad.

With Telangana getting the home-voting option, 15,999 senior citizens, 9,459 persons with disabilities, and 1,720 essential services employees—27,178 voters in all—have already availed of that option. About 10,191 postal ballots were cast by service voters, while 1.48 lakh employees on election duty have also exercised their vote.

A total of 221 women are contesting assembly elections this time. BRS, Congress, BJP-Janasena have fielded 36 women candidates. Apart from this, BSP has fielded 9 candidates, and others are contesting as independents. BJP has given tickets to 13 women candidates, while Congress has given tickets to 12 women candidates. BRS has fielded 8 women candidates.

Actor Manoj Manchu casts his vote in Hyderabad. He said, "It is our right and responsibility to vote. I request people to come out and vote as the voter turnout is , already less."

Meet 26-year old Karne Sirisha, popularly known as Barrelakka or sister of buffaloes, a trailblazer who has set out on the most uncertain and unpredictable of journeys. Sirisha is a one-woman army in the poll battle in Telangana’s Kollapur, but she was quick to draw attention from many quarters. She shot to limelight as a whistle-blower, exposing the failure of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao or KCR in addressing the distress among unemployed youth through social media. Shirisha has aptly got the whistle as her election symbol.

The state’s per capita income in FY 2023 at Rs 3.12 lakh is considerably on the higher side – much higher than even neighbouring Andhra Pradesh by nearly Rs 1 lakh. But this figure only serves to expose the income inequality gaps in KCR’s development paradigm – and unemployed youth are becoming the biggest symbol of the lopsided progress the state has achieved.

Though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lost its sheen, the saffron party might still increase its seat share, while All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which has seven sitting MLAs, may find it difficult to retain them. The Congress, traditionally strong in eastern Telangana, is eyeing gains in the South and North, with the 25 seats in the Hyderabad capital region especially significant. The election in India’s youngest state is also being keenly watched as it comes in the runup to the 2024 parliamentary elections. Political pundits are waiting to see if the Congress can revive its fortunes in this southern state.

Lack of irrigation water and unemployment have become major election issues in the high-profile Kodangal assembly constituency which will decide the fate of the ruling BRS and state Congress president Revanth Reddy. Farmers in rain-fed areas of Kodangal, located in Vikarabad district, feel discriminated against even after nine years of the BRS rule as they are totally dependent on underground borewells and nature to cultivate their crops. They are irked against the ruling government for not creating job opportunities that have led to the migration of youth to nearby cities.

The BRS, under the leadership of K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), finds itself facing a wave of discontent, despite continuing its welfare initiatives such as Dalit Bandhu and KCR kits in Warangal. Corruption allegations at the constituency level and criticism of single-family domination have troubled the party, providing an opportunity for opposition parties, particularly the Congress, to exploit the growing dissatisfaction among the people.

YSR Telangana Party president YS Sharmila exercised her right to vote in Hyderabad.

"I think people should think and vote. Wrong person has been sitting on the CM's chair for 10 years and the people are fed up. I think there will be a change," says actor and Congress leader Vijayashanthi after casting her vote in Hyderabad.

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya voted in Hyderabad. "I have always voted since 1983. Voting is very important to further strengthen our democracy."

Despite its fading sheen, the BJP can mar the prospects of many a candidate. There are about 10 seats where the BJP had stood second in 2018. Here, it is likely to split the BRS vote bank, which may help the Congress. However, a couple of BJP candidates from the Reddy community may likewise eat into the Congress vote.

Welfare Plans: All parties are all trying to get people to vote for them by announcing welfare plans.

State finances: The party that wins will have to deal with a lot of problems, like how to handle the growing number of state loans and the money that is given to different aid programs. Farm loan relief, the Rythu Bandhu scheme, and the Dalit Bandhu scheme all need a lot of money.

Rebels: All three big parties—BRS, Congress, and those who didn't get tickets—have to deal with this. There is a worry that it will hurt their chances of winning important assembly seats.

Voting is a fundamental right, said BJP MP Dr K Laxman casts his vote in Musheerabad

Urban voters are not turning up in large numbers, urge them to vote, said KT Rama Rao after casting his vote.

Out of the 2,290 candidates, who are in the fray, 580 have declared assets more than Rs 1 crore, with maximum 114 along from the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), a report by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Telangana Election Watch revealed. The report also said that Congress’ Gaddam Vivekanand, who is contesting from Chennur (SC) Assembly seat is the richest candidate in Telangana with assets worth Rs 606.67 crore.

The BRS, seeking a third term, relies on its track record of development and improved governance. However, it is facing anti-incumbency, and allegations of corruption and dynasty politics. The perceived failure of the Dharani (digitised land records) portal, particularly in supporting farmers, has become a big issue.

On Telangana elections, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM and BJP leader Brajesh Pathak said "...Voting is taking place in Telangana today. The manner in which people across communities are coming to the polling booths for BJP, we can say that the party is ready to bloom 'lotus' in Telangana..."

On high-value seizure by Election Commission during Telangana elections, AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi said, "As far as I know, the money had come from the neighbouring state. It has been seized. This is a big challenge for all of us."

According to a report by ADR and the Telangana Election Watch, 521 out of 2,290 (23 percent) of the total candidates contesting in the Telangana elections have declared criminal cases against them. This trend signifies a substantial increase in the number of 'Red Alert Constituencies,' rising from 66 percent in the 2018 Assembly elections to a concerning 81 per cent this year.

-BRS: As the party that has been in power for two terms in a row, BRS has been a strong player in both rural and urban areas. However, they are up against anti-incumbency this time.

-Congress: After their recent win in Karnataka, the Congress is confident that there is a strong wave of opposition against BRS that will help them win.

-BJP: PM Modi's public speech in Nizamabad on October 3, in which he said KCR was trying to join the NDA, has helped the BJP's already weak position in the state.

-All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM): It has large support of Muslim voters, especially in Hyderabad, which is an old city. The party wins almost all the assembly seats in the region.

After casting his vote, Telangana minister and BRS MLA KT Rama Rao says, "I have done my duty as a citizen of Telangana. I voted for betterment, I voted for my state. I voted for people who will take the state forward in a progressive manner. I appeal to all citizens of Telangana to come out and exercise your franchise."

Actor Venkatesh Daggubati exercised his right to vote in Hyderabad Presidency Degree and PG College, Manikonda, in Rajendranagar constituency of Ranga Reddy district

"Dear people of Telangana, As you stand at the crossroads of your state's future, your vote becomes the beacon that guides your destiny. Over the past decade, you have witnessed challenges and setbacks, but together, we can usher in a new era of progress and prosperity. The Congress party urges each one of you to seize this moment, to be the architects of change that Telangana yearns for. Let your vote echo the aspirations of every citizen who dreams of a brighter, inclusive, and thriving Telangana," the Congress posted on X.

"I appeal all the voters to come out and use their right to vote. To maintain Hyderabad's beauty and Telangana's 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb' and to strengthen brotherhood of this province, I appeal everyone to come out and vote. Don't consider today as a holiday and stay at home," said AIMIM chief
Asad Owaisi after casting his vote in Hyderabad.

Actor Srikanth casts his vote in the Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad. He said, "Please do cast your vote."

-K Chandrasekhar Rao: The national head of the BRS wants to become chief minister for a third term in a row. KCR will run for office from two assembly districts: Gajwel and Kamareddy.

-Revanth Reddy: The leader of the state Congress party is the MP from Malkajgiri LS in Greater Hyderabad. In June 2021, he took over as leader of the party.

-KT Rama Rao: KTR is in charge of many things in the Telangana government, such as IT and businesses. He is seen as KCR's heir because he is KCR's son and the CEO of BRS.

-G Kishan Reddy : The sole Union minister from Telangana, he was made state BJP chief three months ago after MP Bandi Sanjay became the BJP national general secretary.

With 17 Lok Sabha and 119 Vidhan Sabha seats, the state can be divided into three zones, which have their unique characteristics. Regional dynamics at play could decide the course of these elections. The state can be divided into three zones for electoral analysis - Upper Telangana (49), Lower Telangana (42) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (28). Upper Telangana essentially comprises the North and West parts sharing a border with Maharashtra on the top and Karnataka on the left. Lower Telangana includes East and South Telangana sharing a border with Andhra and Chhattisgarh. The GHMC is the central part housing the capital of Hyderabad. If Congress were to do better in Lower Telangana and BRS in Upper Telangana, then the 28 seats in the Greater Hyderabad region could decide the winner.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi arrives at a polling booth in Hyderabad to cast his vote. The AIMIM has put up candidates in nine segments in the city.

A special helipad has been prepared for Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao at his ancestral village Chintamadaka in Medak district. The CM is scheduled to reach here shortly.

BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri said, "All of my brothers and sisters of Nizamabad constituency, please step out and participate in voting in maximum number and further strengthen our democracy."

For the state, data is available for six agencies, four of them were predicting a hung assembly with TRS/BRS as the single largest party. TRS won a three fourth majority while only one agency was near the mark. Again a sweep election like Chhattisgarh which most pollsters are struggling to get it right.Except for Rajasthan, where the revolving door tradition makes it easy for pollsters, more agencies were wide off the mark than correct in MP, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. The last two states witnessed landslides, which few agencies got right.

Telangana DGP Anjanikumar casts his vote at a polling booth in Amberpet, Hyderabad.

In a bid to maintain its winning streak since 2014, BRS faces competition from an assertive Congress, aiming to overcome its 2018 defeat, and the BJP, vigorously campaigning for its first victory in the southern state.

BRS has fielded candidates in all 119 seats. As per the seat-sharing agreement, BJP and Jana Sena are contesting in 111 and 8 seats respectively while Congress gave one seat to its ally CPI(M).

Oscar-winning music composer Padma Shri MM Keeravani casts his vote in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills and appeals to everyone to exercise their franchise. "...Everyone should utilise their voting power...This is not a holiday," says Keeravani.

I would like to tell the youth, women, and senior citizens of the state that they must vote for those who brought development," said Telangana minister
Ch Mallareddy after casting his vote.

In the 2018 elections, Telangana witnessed a total of 119 seats, with the BRS securing a dominant 88 seats, followed by Congress with 19. AIMIM claimed 7 seats, TDP and BJP secured 2 and 1 seat(s) respectively, while AIFB and an independent candidate each secured 1 seat.

State's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj said, "Since 7 am we have started seeing long queues at very interior places also...Polling is going on briskly. At every place, it is very peaceful and I request all the voters to vote..."

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the people of Telangana, particularly young and the first-time voters to vote in large numbers and participate in the festival of democracy.

Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin leaves from his residence to cast his vote at a polling booth in Erramanzil area of Hyderabad

Voting halted for the last 30 minutes at Booth No. 253, R&B Building in Kamareddy Assembly constituency due to a malfunction of the EVM machine here.

Chief Minister KCR is contesting from two segments, Gajwel and Kamareddy. Congress leader Revanth Reddy is challenging the chief minister in Kamareddy, while BJP's Eatala Rajender is contesting against KCR in Gajwel.

"It (next state government) should focus on a combination of social reforms and development in the state," said actor Sumanth after acting his vote the state assmebly elections.

Union minister and Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy arrives at a polling station in Barkatpura of Hyderabad to cast his vote.

-Scrapping of 4 percent reservation accorded to the Muslims in the state.
-Beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana will be given four gas cylinders per year for free.
-Implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state.
-A fixed deposit worth Rs 2 lakh will be given on the birth of a girl child.

-Hyderabad Liberation Day (on September 17) and the Razakar Vibhishika Smriti Divas (August 27) will "be celebrated officially by the government".
-“Zero-tolerance against corruption” promised
-Reduction of petrol and diesel prices by slashing the Value Added Tax.
-Financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per acre to small and medium farmers

In Hyderabad, BRS MLC K Kavitha said, "Especially to the young men and women, I sincerely appeal to you to please come and vote. Today is not a holiday, it is a day to participate and strengthen democracy...The decibels have been high but it was the same scenario in 2018 and people supported BRS and this time also I believe people will support us...Love of people is with KCR, love of people is with BRS. People are going to vote for 'car' and we are going to win."

In its manifesto, the Congress has categorised the six guarantees as “Mahalakshmi”, “Rythu Bharosa”, “Gruha Jyothi”, “Indiramma Indlu”, “Yuva Vikasam” and “Cheyutha”. Under the section “Mahalakshmi”, the party has announced several sops for women, including Rs 2,500 monthly assistance, gas cylinders for Rs 500 and free travel in RTC buses. The “Rythu Bharosa” promises ₹15,000 annual investment assistance to farmers and Rs 12,000 to farm labourers; while a monthly pension of Rs 4,000 will be provided to senior citizens, widows, disabled, beedi workers, single women, weavers, AIDS and Filaria patients and kidney patients undergoing dialysis under “Cheyutha” scheme.

The Telangana battle has become tighter as D-day approaches. Two term Chief Minister KCR is facing the heat from a resurgent Congress which sniffs a chance on the back of high local level anti-incumbency and corruption allegations amidst fatigue setting in especially amongst the youth.

Polling has started for 119 seats in Telangana, where voters will exercise their franchise in 35,655 polling stations set up across the state. There are 3.26 crore eligible voters and 2,290 contestants in the fray

More than 2.5 lakh staff will be engaged in poll duties for the assembly elections, even as an Election Commission order to close all private establishments including IT firms to enable employees to exercise their franchise remains in place.

As many as 2,290 candidates from 109 parties including the national and regional parties are in the fray. Around 3.26 crore eligible voters will make way to 35,655 polling stations, some of which lie in 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas and will see curtailed voting hours.

Telangana is the last of the five states seeing election in what is being called the semi-final before next year's Lok Sabha elections. Exit polls will be out after 6.30 pm today and the counting of votes for all five states will take place on Sunday.

BRS chief is hoping for a third consecutive term, buoyed by his party's social welfare programmes and points as the 'founding father' of the state.

Exit poll results for Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram will be declared after 6.30 pm. Voting in Telangana will conclude at 6 pm.

BRS is contesting from 115 out of 119 seats in the state. BRS Chief and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is contesting from Gajwel and Kamareddy constituencies. BRS Working President KT Rama Rao will be seeking re-election from Sircilla, while Harish Rao is set to contest from Siddipet.

KCR and Congress' Revanth Reddy are contesting from their second constituencies: KCR from his sitting seat, Gajwel (Siddipet district), and Revanth, the Malkajgiri MP, from his home turf Kodangal (Vikarabad district).

Exit polls will be out today around 6.30 pm. Apart from Telangana, the results will provide a glimpse into voting trends, public sentiment and potential outcomes in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Chhattisgarh. Results will be out on December 3

KCR's party is banking on welfare schemes of the government, growth and development that the state has seen since its formation in 2014.