Polling begins for Munugode by-election, EC makes extensive arrangements

MUNUGODE: Polling for the Munugode by-election has begun in the morning and the voters across the constituency are flocking to the polling booths to give their mandate. At 9.30 am, it's reported that 11 percent votes were polled.

The election officials who made extensive arrangements said that the polling would be held till 6 PM and deployed huge forces in the problematic areas in the wake of violence that took place on the last day of the campaign.

The officials have set up Flying Squads, 14 State Surveillance Teams, 199 micro observers, 596 control units, 1,192 EVMs, and 596 VV Pats along with deploying 3,365 police personnel and

Central forces of 15 companies.

There are 47 candidates in the fray and 2,41,855 voters including 1,21,720 males and 1,20,128 females will cast their votes at 298 polling stations. The polling process is monitored through webcasting from Rachakonda Commissionerate. After the polling, the EVMs will be moved to strong rooms in Nalgonda.

The election officials also set up special facilities for the elderly and disabled and asked everyone to carry their identity cards while coming to vote.

Meanwhile, BJP and TRS candidates Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and Koosukuntla Prabhakar Reddy cast their votes in Munugode and Lingavarigudem of Naryanpur mandal respectively.

Speaking to media after voting, Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy alleged that ruling TRS party's attacks were increasing. He said that non-local TRS leaders were still in the constituency and threatening the other party agents.

On the other hand, the TRS candidate Koosukuntla Prabhakar Reddy urged the people to make use of their right to vote and cast their votes.