The Election Commission (EC) has decided to extend the voting hours in Telangana by one hour due to the prevailing heat wave conditions for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for Phase 4 on May 13.
The revised voting hours will now be from 7 am to 6 pm instead of the previously announced 7 am to 5 pm for the Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zahirabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chevella, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool (SC), Nalgonda, and the Bhongir Lok Sabha seats.
In a notification, the EC stated that while the extended voting time would apply to all assembly segments of these 12 Lok Sabha constituencies, it would only apply to certain assembly segments in the remaining five parliamentary seats.
The extended voting hours, from 7 am to 6 pm, will be implemented in the Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zahirabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chevella, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool (SC), Nalgonda, and Bhongir Lok Sabha seats.
Furthermore, the new timing will also be applicable in five assembly segments of the Adilabad Lok Sabha seat, three of the Peddapalle seat, six of the Warangal (SC) seat, three of the Mahabubabad (ST) seat, and five of the Khammam Lok Sabha seat, as per the EC’s notification.
Telangana comprises a total of 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, including Adilabad, Peddapalle, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zahirabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chevella, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Bhongir, Warangal, Mahabubabad, and Khammam.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday, heatwave conditions are expected to persist in most districts of the state until May 6.