The Forum for Good Governance (FGG), a prominent Hyderabad-based advocacy group, has formally requested the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer to conduct a thorough audit of the ₹5.9 crore expenditure reported for the recent Jubilee Hills assembly by-election. The FGG has labeled the sum as unusually high for an urban constituency, raising serious concerns about potential wasteful use of public funds.
Formal Complaint Lodged with Election Authorities
In a detailed letter addressed to Chief Electoral Officer C Sudharshan Reddy, FGG president M Padmanabha Reddy argued that the declared amount appears "abnormally high". The forum's primary contention is that the scale of spending does not align with the actual requirements of the bypoll held in the heart of Hyderabad. The FGG emphasized that no new staff were recruited specifically for this election, no vehicles were purchased, and there was no significant movement of personnel or paramilitary forces that would typically justify such a large outlay.
"Jubilee Hills is an urban constituency located in the heart of Hyderabad. Given that no new staff were hired or vehicles procured, the expenditure seems excessive," the FGG's letter stated. The group underscored that while the Election Commission of India is a respected constitutional body, the funds it utilizes originate from the state exchequer. Therefore, they insisted, every rupee must be accounted for with absolute transparency and be subject to standard public audit procedures.
Election Officials Defend the Expenditure
However, election authorities have pushed back against these allegations, maintaining that the spending was justified and within reasonable limits. A senior official involved in the process provided context, stating, "Earlier in Munugode and other bypolls, costs exceeded ₹8 crore. The expenditure for Jubilee Hills is actually less."
The official explained that the operational costs of conducting elections have risen due to newer, essential measures introduced to ensure integrity and security. These now-standard protocols include:
- Comprehensive drone surveillance for monitoring polling activities and law and order.
- Establishment of dedicated women-frisking kiosks at polling stations for privacy and security.
- Enhanced polling-day logistics and arrangements for voters and officials.
In fact, the official revealed that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has been requesting the chief electoral office for more funds, claiming they have spent beyond what was allocated. "There is no question of wasteful expenditure. We have used the funds judiciously," the official asserted.
The Call for Transparency and Accountability
The FGG has grounded its demand for an audit in official correspondence, citing a finance department letter dated December 1, 2025, which referenced the by-election expenditure. The forum reiterated that all public money, regardless of the department spending it, must be subject to rigorous financial audit to ensure accountability and prevent any misuse.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between the need for robust, modern election management and the imperative of fiscal responsibility. As urban constituencies become more complex to manage, the costs associated with free and fair polls are evolving. The FGG's intervention seeks to ensure that this evolution is matched by an equal commitment to transparency, setting a precedent for how election-related expenses are scrutinized in Telangana and beyond.
