GHMC Elections 2020 LIVE: Owaisi Casts His Vote, Asks People to Exercise Their Franchise to Strengthen Democracy | Earth Indian

New Delhi: Amid tight security with long queues of people at several polling stations, voting for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) began at 7 AM on Tuesday. Over 74 lakh voters will decide the political fortunes of 1,122 candidates in 150 divisions in one of the most bitterly-fought polls for any municipal body in recent times. In the wake of the novel coronavirus, wearing of face mask is mandatory for voters coming to polling stations. Authorities have made it clear that those not wearing masks will not be allowed into the polling station. A total of 74,67,256 people are eligible to cast their votes. The electorate constitutes 38,89,637 men, 35,76,941 women and 678 others.

Stay here for LIVE updates on GHMC Elections 2020

08:00 AM: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi casts his vote for #GHMCElections2020. “I appeal to the people of Hyderabad to cast their vote today to strengthen democracy,” he said.

07:30 AM: Telangana Minister and TRS leader, KT Rama Rao casts his vote.

07: 20 AM: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy was one of the big names who reached the polling station early to cast his vote.

Hyderabad, Telangana: MoS (Home) G Kishan Reddy casts his vote for #GHMCElections2020 https://t.co/GUxv5cSnCI pic.twitter.com/GtzKYHdiSK

— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020

Notably, the elections are being fought without any alliance among the parties. While ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is looking to retain power in the municipal body,  upbeat over its victory in Dubbak Assembly by-election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a determined bid to wrest power.

The Congress and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) are also contesting the polls on their own. In 2016 elections, the TRS had won 99 seats while MIM had finished second with 44 seats. The BJP could win only four seats then.

By Shivam Urkude || Earth Indian