Jubilee Hills Bypoll: High-Stakes Contest as Over 4 Lakh Voters Head to Polling Booths Under Tight Security

The Jubilee Hills by-election, described as one of the most closely watched and politically intense contests in recent Telangana history, is set to witness over 4 lakh voters exercising their franchise on Tuesday. With political prestige at its peak—especially for the ruling Congress—the bypoll has drawn massive attention, fuelled by aggressive campaigning and back-to-back allegations between rival parties.

The campaign period saw considerable controversy, with the BRS accusing the Congress of indulging in electoral malpractices including cash distribution, inducements, and attempts to influence voters. These allegations prompted repeated appeals for action from election authorities. The role of caste and religious dynamics, brought to the forefront during the campaign, remains a key factor, the impact of which will only become clear on November 14 when results are announced. Jubilee Hills, known for historically low voter turnout, will also test whether heightened political interest translates into increased participation, including voting by the constituency’s significant film industry workforce.

Security has been a major focus ahead of the polling. Authorities have announced heavy deployment of personnel, supported by drone surveillance—a first for Telangana—to ensure peace and transparency. A three-tier security system has been put in place across all 407 polling stations. Additionally, advanced monitoring measures such as webcasting from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. will allow real-time supervision during voting hours.

Preparing for the large-scale exercise, 2,394 ballot units, 561 control units, and 595 VVPAT machines were transported under strict police escort from the strongrooms at Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy Stadium. The process was overseen by District Election Officer RV Karnan and Joint Commissioner Tafseer Iqbal. A total of 2,060 polling personnel—including Presiding and Assistant Presiding Officers—have been deployed to manage the booths efficiently.

A notable feature this time is the introduction of colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot papers, aimed at improving clarity for voters. With 58 candidates in the fray, the visual enhancements are expected to reduce confusion and ensure smoother voting.

Bypoll at a Glance:

Total voters: 4,01,365
Candidates: 58
Male: 2,08,561 | Female: 1,92,779
Service electors: 18
Overseas electors (NRI): 123
PwD electors: 1,908
Voters aged 18–19: 6,859
Voters aged 85+: 2,134

Polling will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with voters allowed to use 12 alternative photo IDs including Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence, Passport, Job Card, Pension documents, and more. With elaborate arrangements and heightened vigilance, authorities aim to ensure a smooth, transparent, and incident-free polling day in Jubilee Hills.