Higher voter turnout likely in Munugode, say contenders

HYDERABAD: All parties in the Munugode byelection fray are hopeful of a higher voter turnout this time around. Approximately, 82.15 per cent turnout was reported in 2014 which went up to 91.30 per cent in 2018.

Going by this, the TRS, BJP and the Congress are hopeful that the turnout would increase further on November 3.

In the 2009 general elections, which was the last election in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, Munugode segment recorded 77.10 per cent turnout. The second rung leaders of TRS, BJP and Congress collected caste and village-wise voter lists and tried to approach them for support.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Kailas Netha, senior leader from Munugode, said that they had motivated the voters to exercise their franchise in the 2018 elections. “We are in touch with voters from the booth level. We are hopeful of an increase this time as locals living elsewhere are likely to participate in the voting,” he said.

The eventual winner should scrape through with a marginal gap, said a senior politician seeking anonymity. People are vexed with group politics of certain leaders and the adamant nature of some candidates. This is bound to get reflected in the voting pattern, he opined.

 Polling pattern in Munugode for last three elections

2009                            77.1%

2014                            82.15%

2018                            91.30%