84% Voter Turnout Marks Calm Start to Telangana’s Three-Phase Panchayat Elections

The first phase of the Telangana gram panchayat elections ended peacefully on Thursday, registering an impressive voter turnout of more than 84% , according to figures released by the State Election Commission (SEC). Out of 53.57 lakh eligible voters , nearly 45.15 lakh people participated in the polling that began at 7 a.m. and concluded at 1 p.m. Counting of votes commenced at 2 p.m.

Senior police officials said the polling day passed without major disturbances, largely due to the elaborate security deployment across the state. Additional DGP Mahesh M. Bhagwat said all polling stations were classified into critical and normal categories and provided with adequate personnel. “The arrangements ensured a smooth and peaceful polling process,” he said.

The SEC also reported that 396 gram panchayats were elected unanimously , even before voting began, reflecting local-level consensus in several villages. A total of 13,000 candidates contested for the sarpanch posts, while 65,455 candidates competed for 27,628 ward seats in this phase.

Congress Claims Overwhelming Support

The ruling Congress appeared to make strong gains in the first phase. Telangana PCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud claimed that candidates supported by the party had won more than 90% of the sarpanch seats declared by Thursday night. He said the results reflected the public’s approval of the two-year administration led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

“The government’s efforts in welfare and development have earned the trust of the people. Our message of social justice, progress, and inclusive governance has been endorsed at the village level,” he said.

The Congress leadership views the positive results as a continuation of the momentum gained from its recent victory in the Jubilee Hills by-election.

BJP Sees Growth in Rural Base

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao said his party’s improved performance in several districts signalled its expanding support in rural Telangana. He credited the rise to central government schemes such as free ration, housing, Ujjwala gas connections, PM-Kisan assistance, village street lighting, roads, and sanitation works.

“These schemes have transformed the lives of the poor,” he said, urging party cadres to intensify their outreach during the next phases of the elections.

Three-Phase Election Process Underway

The SEC is conducting the gram panchayat elections in three phases on December 11, 14, and 17 as per the schedule announced on November 25. Political observers consider the polls an important indicator of public sentiment for the Congress, BRS, and BJP, especially after the shifting political landscape of the past two years.

Although panchayat elections are officially held without party symbols, the contests remain politically charged, with all major parties backing candidates and closely monitoring the results.

The state government had earlier postponed the ZPTC and MPTC elections due to legal complications over its decision to implement 42% reservations for Backward Classes in local bodies.

District-wise Trends Show Clear Congress Edge

Early trends available until 9 p.m. showed Congress-backed candidates ahead in a majority of districts. BRS and BJP also secured notable wins in some pockets, while independent candidates performed strongly in a few areas.

A snapshot of sarpanch seats won so far:

• Congress:

• 1,437

• BRS:

• 697

• BJP:

• 126

• Others:

• 327

Some locations reported delays in result declaration, due to which the election of upsarpanch will now be conducted on Friday.

These results were received till 9 pm.

The total number of sarpanch seats won by Congress supporters is 1437, BRS 697, BJP 126. Others have won 327 seats. Due to the delay in results, the election of sub-sarpanchs in some places will be held on Friday.