Hyderabad: It is a litmus test for political parties, particularly the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in Telangana, with counting of votes for the two MLC Graduates’ constituencies (Khammam-Warangal-Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar-Ranga Reddy-Hyderabad) to be taken up on Wednesday. While the Election Commission made elaborate arrangements for the counting, officials stated that results might not be out till evening.

The counting of votes for the Mahbubnagar-Ranga Reddy-Hyderabad seat will be taken up at Victoria Playground in Esamia Bazaar. The number of votes polled in the election held on Sunday were 1,11,766.  Returning Officer Navin Mittal said the counting would be held in four rounds. Arrangements were made to webcast the whole exercise. Also three-tier security system was put in place, said the returning officer.

In this segment, the fight is between TRS and BJP parties. TRS contestant G Deviprasad and BJP candidate N Ramachander Rao both are confident. GHMC Special Commissioner and Returning Officer Navin Mittal has informed that the counting of votes for Graduates Constituency of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Mahaboob Nagar Districts will commence from 8 am onwards on Wednesday. A total of 28 tables have been arranged with three shifts staff for the counting  of votes.

 He said that the counting would take place through the elimination process until the any contesting candidate gets more than 50 percent of votes polled and he would be declared elected after getting clearance from the Election Commission of India.  The validity of votes will be taken into consideration based on the preference from no. 1,2, and so on, (numerical) and   if any voter opts for 2nd preference without opting  for 1st  preference, the votes will be considered invalid, if opts for  NOTA (None of the above) the vote will be invalid even if there is any preference of votes already.