Everybody is keenly waiting for the declaration of exit polls in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation after the completion of polling at 6 pm on Tuesday, as the elections are keenly fought this time.
Several survey agencies called for press conferences in the evening to announce the exit poll results. Earlier, several pre-poll surveys indicated different scenarios – while some declared that the TRS would retain its supremacy in the GHMC polls, others said the BJP would put up a strong performance and give the TRS a run for its money.
However, at around 11 am, the Telangana State Election Commission dampened all their spirits by announcing a ban on the declaration of exit polls till 6 pm on Thursday, since it called for repolling in the entire Old Malakpet division.
According to an official statement from the SEC, the proposer of the Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate made a complaint to Assistant Election Authority and Deputy Commissioner of Circle- 6 stating that the symbol of their party candidate (CPI) was not found in the ballot of Ward-26 in the Old Malakpet division,
On verification, it was noticed that in the ballot papers, the symbol of CPI (M) party -- "hammer, sickle and star" was printed, instead of CPI party symbol "ears of corn and sickle.”
Following a report from the Assistant Election Authority, the SEC ordered for repoll in all 69 polling stations of Old Malakpet division and instructed the authorities to take necessary further action. It also ordered replacement of the Returning Officer for Old Malakpet division.
Now, the repoll will be held on December 3 from 7 am to 6 pm in all the 69 polling stations already notified.
“In view of the repoll, publication, broadcasting and telecasting of exit polls on GHMC elections is banned till 5 pm on December 3,” the SEC ordered.
