Amaravati, Nov 12: Elections to 23 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Andhra Pradesh, covering more than 24.98 lakh voters across 1,009 wards, will be held on November 26, completing a local body election process that remained pending in these areas because of court cases. The State Election Commission (SEC) has announced the schedule for four Municipal Corporations and 19 Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats.
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha issued the election notification on Thursday, setting the process in motion for the remaining local bodies. The first phase of ULB elections, covering 100 local bodies, has already concluded, with results declared.
The four Municipal Corporations going to polls are Srikakulam, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram and Mangalagiri-Tadepalli. Voters will elect Mayors and Corporators in these corporations, while the remaining 19 Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats will elect Chairpersons and Ward Members.
The 23 local bodies together comprise 1,009 wards, including 269 wards in the four Municipal Corporations. The SEC has identified 2,801 polling centres to facilitate voting among the 24,98,152 registered electors.
The nomination process will close on November 16, followed by scrutiny of nomination papers on November 17. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 19, after which the contesting candidates will be finalised.
The Commission has scheduled November 27 for counting of votes and re-polling, wherever required.
Alongside the election schedule, the SEC has directed District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to coordinate security and administrative arrangements to prevent disruptions during polling. The directions place particular emphasis on law and order, adequate police deployment and security arrangements across the constituencies.
During a video conference with district officials, Punetha referred to violent incidents reported in certain sensitive districts during earlier local body elections. He said interventions by the Supreme Court and stricter security arrangements had brought changes in the conduct of subsequent elections.
The Commissioner also reviewed the progress of other local body elections, noting that the electoral processes for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and the first phase of ULB polls had been completed. Elections for Mandal Parishad Presidents will take place on November 19, followed by elections for Zilla Parishad Chairpersons on November 20.
The state will also conduct Gram Panchayat elections in three phases. The SEC will issue notifications for the first, second and third phases on November 13, 16 and 19, respectively.
With the remaining ULB polls now scheduled, the state election calendar is moving towards the completion of several tiers of local government elections, including municipal and rural local bodies.
