Hyderabad, Feb 13 (UNI) The counting of votes polled in the elections to 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations in Telangana began at 0800 hours on Friday amid tight security arrangements.
The elections were held on February 11, with a total of 12,930 candidates contesting for 2,996 wards. Of these, 14 wards (12 municipal and 2 corporation wards) were declared unanimously elected, while polling in one ward was adjourned. As many as 52,17,413 voters exercised their franchise, recording a turnout of over 73 per cent.
Counting is underway at 123 centres across the state. The process began with the counting of postal ballots, followed by regular ballot papers.
Officials said the counting is expected to take time as ballot papers were used instead of electronic voting machines.
To ensure a smooth and peaceful process, nearly 12,000 police personnel, along with armed forces and Quick Response Teams, have been deployed at the counting centres. Strict access control is being enforced, with entry permitted only to authorised personnel holding valid passes after thorough security checks.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in and around counting centres, banning large gatherings and the carrying of weapons within a 200-metre radius. Local police have been directed to take immediate action against any violations.
Meanwhile, the Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) has issued a notification for the conduct of indirect elections to the posts of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of municipalities and mayors and deputy mayors of municipal corporations, scheduled to be held on February 16, 2026.
The Model Code of Conduct will remain in force until the completion of the indirect elections. The SEC has also issued instructions to prevent the formation of camps, unauthorised gatherings and violations of the Model Code of Conduct during the intervening period.
Telangana municipal polls: Counting of votes begins amid tight security
