Hyderabad: The by-election in 30-Dabeepura ward witnessed a very low turnout. Out of 39,445 voters, just 27.4 per cent electors exercised their franchise.
The contestants from this seat and their respective parties are Mirza Akhil Afandi (BJP), Mirza Askar Ali Baig (Congress), Mir Basith Ali (AIMIM), Mohammed Ahmed (TD) and Raza Ali Mirza (TRS).
The seat fell vacant after MIM corporator Riyaz ul Hasan Effendi resigned from this seat after becoming a member of the state legislative council. The Shia sect of Muslims is the dominant community in the Dabeerpura area. Of the five candidates contesting from this seat, four are from the Shia community.
For convenience of voters, the District Election Officer established 66 polling booths in 19 localities. Police made elaborate security arrangements, deploying personnel from the detective department, task force, city police headquarters and special striking force. Additional commissioner of police (law & order) D. S. Chauhan monitored the security arrangements.
While police said no untoward incidents have been reported from anywhere, it is stated Congress candidate Mirza Askar Ali Baig was beaten up by MIM leaders at Tavela, Aza Khane Zehra, for bogus voting.
