The Telangana Graduate MLC by-election: Khammam-Warangal-Nalgonda constituencies is scheduled for May 27. The main political parties in the state are treating this election as highly significant and are campaigning accordingly. There are a total of 52 candidates in the fray for this by-election. Across the three combined districts, a total of 461,806 graduates have registered as voters. However, this Graduate MLC election differs from other elections in several ways, including voter selection, polling procedures, and the casting method. Let’s delve into the details.
In general elections, candidates representing parties are assigned symbols by the Election Commission, and EVM machines are set up on polling day. The EVMs display the candidates’ names and symbols, and voters cast their votes by pressing the button corresponding to their chosen candidate. Every eligible voter can vote. However, this Graduate MLC election is entirely different. Although candidates from political parties can stand for election, they are not assigned any symbols by the Election Commission. There are no EVMs; instead, only ballot papers are used, and these ballot papers only print the candidates’ names.
Specifically, the number of candidates in graduate elections is usually very high. Not only leaders from political parties but also many independent candidates (who must at least have a bachelor’s degree) have the opportunity to contest. As a result, the ballot paper might be as large as a newspaper. Additionally, not everyone can vote in this election. Only those with a minimum educational qualification of a bachelor’s degree are eligible. Graduates from the relevant constituency must pre-register to be eligible to vote.