Election Commission Extends Polling Hours in Telangana for May 13 Lok Sabha Elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the polling time in Telangana for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on May 13, 2024, due to the prevailing heatwave conditions in the state. The new polling hours will be from 7 am to 6 pm, an increase of one hour from the earlier schedule of 7 am to 5 pm.

The extended timing will be applicable in all assembly segments of 12 Lok Sabha constituencies, including Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zahirabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chevella, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool (SC), Nalgonda, and Bhongir. In the remaining five parliamentary seats, the extended hours will apply only to certain assembly segments.

The decision was made following a request from the Telangana chief electoral officer, who received representations from various political parties and candidates regarding the potential impact of the heatwave on voter turnout. The India Meteorological Department has forecast that heatwave conditions are expected to persist in most districts of the state until May 6, with temperatures soaring between 45 to 50 degrees Celsius.

Why this matters: The extension of polling hours is a significant step taken by the Election Commission to ensure maximum voter participation in the face of challenging weather conditions. The move aims to mitigate the impact of the heatwave on voter turnout and provide a more convenient window for citizens to exercise their democratic right.

A gazette notification was issued on Wednesday, officially announcing the change in polling hours. However, the polling in 13 segments identified as having alleged Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in five Lok Sabha constituencies will conclude at 4 pm. "The decision was made after representations from political parties and considering the hot summer and heatwave conditions in Telangana, which could impact voter turnout," stated an ECI official.

Telangana, which has 17 Lok Sabha seats, will witness polling for all constituencies on May 13 as part of the fourth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. In the 2019 general elections, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) secured victory in nine seats, but following the party's setback in the assembly elections, five seats were lost to the two national parties due to defections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed confidence in winning at least 10 seats in the upcoming elections.

Key Takeaways

• ECI extends polling hours in Telangana to 7 am-6 pm due to heatwave.
• Extended hours apply to 12 Lok Sabha constituencies, partially in 5 others.
• Decision made after requests from political parties and CEO citing impact on voter turnout.
• Polling in 13 LWE-affected segments to end at 4 pm.
• Telangana has 17 Lok Sabha seats, BRS won 9 in 2019, BJP aims for 10 seats in 2024.