Hyderabad: Muslims fret over low poll percentage

Hyderabad: Muslim groups are worried about the low poll percentage recorded by community voters, which is considerably lower than the average figure for the rest of the state.

In 2014, the average poll percentage was around 69 per cent in the region while the figure stood at 52.6 per cent in the Old City constituencies. Charminar constituency recorded 56.2 per cent voting, the oldest in the Old City, and only 47.7 per cent voters turned out at Malakpet.

Muslim groups have now started a campaign highlighting the importance of the vote. Many social activists are starting a drive, including on social media to convince the community voters to realise the power of the vote.

Those going to the mosque for the Jumma prayers are also being told to vote in the sermons. Maulana Mohd Farooq asked the community to cast their vote while delivering the Jumma sermon in Masjid Noor, Sainakpuri. He said it was the  duty of a true Muslim to use the vote. 

“If you do not vote then heartless people will come to the power,” he said.

Mohd Asif Hussain of Sakina Foundation said the concern was that polling in the state was scheduled on Friday, one day after the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary. 

The three-day religious congregation of the Tabligi Jamat will be held in Kurnool from December 8. 

The fear was that in these circumstances Muslims may show no interest in voting. 

Maulana Shaiykh Ismayeel Afzal Umri said, “If we do not use our right, we will have public representatives who are not good for the nation. We have to understand the situation of the country and state. If we want good people to rule then we have to cast our votes.”