Hyderabad, The Telangana State Election Commission on Tuesday stopped polling in Old Malakpet ward of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and ordered re-poll after a goof-up in ballot paper.

The poll panel announced that repolling in all the 69-polling stations of Ward 26 will be held on December 3.

The polling in the ward stopped a couple of hours after the process began at 7 a.m. in all 150 wards on Tuesday.

The Commission took the decision after it was brought to its notice that the symbol of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) 'Hammer, sickle and star' was printed as the symbol of Communist Party of India (CPI). The symbol of CPI 'Ears of Corn & Sickle' was missing.

Interestingly, the CPI-M is not contesting the election from this ward.

"The repoll will be held on December 3, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in all the 69 polling stations already notified," the SEC said. It added that during the repoll, the indelible ink should be applied to the left-hand middle finger of the voter.

In view of the repoll, the poll panel banned publication, broadcast and telecast of exit polls on GHMC elections till 6 p.m. on December 3.

The counting of votes polled in all 150 wards is scheduled to be taken up on December 4.