Telangana Gram Panchayat Elections: Key Dates and Details
The Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) has officially announced the schedule for the much-anticipated gram panchayat elections. In a significant move for local governance, the polls will be conducted across the state in three distinct phases. The voting is scheduled for December 11, December 14, and December 17, providing a structured approach to the massive electoral exercise.
Phased Polling and Nomination Timeline
SEC Commissioner I Rani Kumudini detailed that a two-day interval has been strategically placed between each phase. This measure is designed to ensure the smooth and efficient management of the polling process across thousands of rural local bodies. The voting hours are fixed from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with the counting of votes commencing at 2:00 PM on the very same day.
The process for candidates to enter the fray begins with the nomination dates. For the first phase of polling on December 11, nominations will open on November 27. The second phase, scheduled for December 14, will see nominations starting on November 30. Finally, for the third phase on December 17, the nomination process will begin on December 3.
Massive Electoral Exercise and Court-Excluded Panchayats
The scale of these elections is immense. The electoral process will cover 12,728 gram panchayats, where voters will elect their sarpanch and representatives for a total of 1,12,242 wards. However, officials have clarified that not all areas will be participating. Due to a stay order from the Telangana High Court, 32 gram panchayats encompassing 292 wards have been excluded from the current election schedule.
The affected panchayats are located in specific mandals:
- 25 GPs in Mangapet mandal (Mulugu district)
- Two in V Saidapur mandal (Karimnagar district)
- Four in Enkoor mandal
- One in Penuballi mandal (Khammam district)
According to the final electoral rolls, a staggering over 1.6 crore (16 million) voters are eligible to cast their ballot. This electorate includes approximately 81.4 lakh men, 85.1 lakh women, and 500 voters registered under the 'other gender' category.
Model Code of Conduct and Polling Procedure
With the immediate issuance of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force across the entire state. This code lays down a set of guidelines for political parties and candidates to ensure a free and fair election. All district administrations have been directed to make the necessary arrangements for the three-phase polling.
In a nod to tradition for local body elections, SEC Commissioner Kumudini confirmed that polling will be conducted using physical ballot papers and ballot boxes, not Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). She concluded with an appeal to all stakeholders, stating, "We appeal to all voters and contesting candidates to strictly follow the MCC and to cast their votes freely and fairly."
