Telangana Elections: Shame on Hyderabadi Shaan

Telangana witnessed a crucial day of assembly elections, with rural areas displaying enthusiasm at polling booths, while a stark contrast emerged in the urban region, particularly Hyderabad. The city, known for its vibrancy, witnessed a disappointing lack of interest, apathy, and lethargy among the tech-savvy residents, raising eyebrows and prompting reflection on their civic responsibility.

Hyderabad, often celebrated for its dynamism, saw an unexpected disinterest from the so-called techies and software engineers during the polling day, a behavior that baffled many and brought a sense of shame to the city’s reputation. Despite being vocal about social responsibility in lectures and participating in candlelight marches, this voting apathy contradicted the city’s known spirit.

Voting in Telangana gained momentum after the early hours, with approximately 20.64% of voters casting their votes by 11 a.m. However, Hyderabad lagged behind, reporting only 12.39% voter turnout until the latest updates. Adilabad emerged with the highest turnout, reaching 30.5% in the initial four hours. Despite a 9% overall polling percentage in the first two hours, Hyderabad’s turnout remained notably low at 13%, sharply contrasting with the average of 35% in various districts.

Examining individual constituencies, Secunderabad Cantonment led with a 47.14% turnout, closely followed by Khairatabad, Goshamahal, Sanath Nagar, and Secunderabad. Conversely, Yakutpura recorded the lowest turnout at 27.89%, with Nampally, Charminar, and Malakpet following suit.

The overall voter turnout across 15 assembly seats stood at approximately 47.14%, reflecting a diverse range of engagement across constituencies. While some areas demonstrated active civic participation, others fell short, pointing to the need for a comprehensive approach to address voter engagement.

Critics argue that making voting compulsory, akin to mandatory practices in banking and Aadhar linking, could be a transformative measure. This, they believe, would bring about a significant shift in civic responsibility. Alternatively, some suggest exploring online voting facilities, though concerns persist that without a fundamental shift in mindset, certain sections may still prioritize leisure over exercising their franchise.

As the day unfolded with varying degrees of civic participation, the elections underscored the importance of fostering a sense of duty and active engagement among urban populations, particularly in tech-driven cities like Hyderabad.