In preparation for the upcoming elections, Hyderabad District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner, Ronald Rose, in collaboration with City Police Commissioner CV Anand and Collector Anudeep Durishetty, conducted a comprehensive review meeting. During this meeting, officials were instructed to remain vigilant in accordance with the directives of the Election Commission of India (ECI). One of the main focuses was to curb the transportation of alcohol and money, crucial elements in electoral malpractices. To achieve this, a network of check posts was planned across Hyderabad. Moreover, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) were enlisted to monitor large online and cash transactions, ensuring transparency and legality during the election period.
CV Anand emphasized the establishment of integrated check posts involving various departments such as Excise, GST, RTA, and Police, indicating a comprehensive approach to tackle potential issues. Sector Control Officers were directed to submit a report mapping vulnerable areas within two days, highlighting the significance of understanding these areas thoroughly. The mapping process involved multiple forms to be filled by different officers, ensuring a systematic assessment of the situation.
The Election Commission had identified eight constituencies under GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) with a substantial number of voters. Spread across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts, these constituencies had an average of five lakh voters each. Despite a lower voter turnout, these areas experienced significantly higher campaign expenditures by political parties. Among these constituencies, Serilingampally had the highest number of voters (6.98 lakh) and polling booths (622), followed by Quthbullapur, Medchal, LB Nagar, Rajendranagar, and Maheshwaram.
To address the issue of excessive spending in these areas, the Election Commission imposed special vigilance measures on cash and liquor flow. Additional observers were deployed to monitor the situation closely. In 2019, constituencies like Malkajgiri, Kukatpally, Uppal, Rajendranagar, and Serilingampally were identified as expenditure-sensitive, prompting the EC to take proactive measures.
Furthermore, the EC team, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, issued specific orders to Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda police Commissionerate to keep a close watch on money, liquor, and drug flow in the region. The Telangana Chief Electoral Office also took steps to accommodate the high number of electors in these sensitive constituencies. Additional polling stations were set up, ensuring each station had one Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) with a control unit and a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine. These efforts were geared towards promoting a fair and transparent electoral process, safeguarding the integrity of the democratic system in the region.
