High-Stakes Jubilee Hills Bypoll on November 1; Counting on November 14

The Election Commission has announced that the bypoll for the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency in Hyderabad will be held on November 1, with counting of votes on November 14.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the schedule in Delhi, while Telangana Chief Electoral Officer C Sudharshan Reddy said arrangements were underway for a free and fair election.

The official notification will be issued on October 13. The last date for filing nominations is October 21, scrutiny will be held on October 22, and withdrawals will be accepted until October 24.

Polling will take place using Electronic Voting Machines and VVPATs. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately after the announcement. Hyderabad’s District Election Officer R V Karnan said 407 polling stations have been set up for nearly four lakh voters.

The bypoll follows the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June. The BRS has fielded his widow, Sunita Gopinath. The Congress and BJP are expected to announce their candidates shortly.

Officials said adequate security arrangements are being made. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar confirmed that preparations were complete to ensure peaceful polling.