GHMC elections: Repoll ordered in one ward after ballot paper goof-up

Hyderabad, Dec 2 : The Telangana State Election Commission on Tuesday stopped polling in Old Malakpet ward of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and ordered re-poll after a goof-up in ballot paper.The poll panel announced that repolling in all the 69-polling stations of Ward 26 will be held on December 3.

The polling in the ward stopped a couple of hours after the process began at 7 a.m.in all 150 wards on Tuesday.The Commission took the decision after it was brought to its notice that the symbol of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Hammer, sickle and star was printed as the symbol of Communist Party of India (CPI).The symbol of CPI Ears of Corn & Sickle was missing.

Interestingly, the CPI-M is not contesting the election from this ward."The repoll will be held on December 3, from 7 a.m.to 6 p.m.in all the 69 polling stations already notified," the SEC said.It added that during the repoll, the indelible ink should be applied to the left-hand middle finger of the voter.In view of the repoll, the poll panel banned publication, broadcast and telecast of exit polls on GHMC elections till 6 p.m.on December 3.The counting of votes polled in all 150 wards is scheduled to be taken up on December 4.