GHMC poll results from 5 pm to 8 pm today

 Contrary to all expectations, the first result of GHMC elections is likely to come out only after 5 pm on Friday. Generally wherever electronic voting machines are used, election results will come out early. But the Election Commission has ordered re-polling in Puranapul division from 7 am to 5 pm.

Addressing the mediapersons here on Thursday, GHMC Commissioner Dr Janardhan Reddy announced that counting of votes would begin at 3 pm on Friday and only after 5 pm theresults will be trickling out.

Giving details of arrangements of vote counting process, the GHMC Commissioner said  postal ballots would be opened for counting first. Results of 26 wards are likely to be announced first and later



results of another 26 wards will come out by 6 pm. All results will come out by 8 pm on Friday night. He said counting of votes would take place in 24 localities. If there was announcement of results before 5 pm, action would be taken as per the rules, the Commissioner warned.

Stating that prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were clamped near vote counting centres, the Commissioner urged leaders of all political parties not to come nearby these centres. Only those who carry passes would be allowed.

As Puranapul division is going for re-polling from 7 am to 5 pm, poll officials have been directed not to ask for voter slip and just put ink on middle finger. There were 34,400 voters in the division and 200 polling officials have been deputed to conduct elections, the Commissioner said. Results would be announced only after reaching of ballot boxes and completion of counting of votes, he said.