The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) has indicated that the notification for elections to urban and rural local bodies could be announced at any time. In all probability, the polls are expected to be held in the first and second weeks of September.
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha on Friday directed officials to remain fully prepared. He reviewed the arrangements made so far for the long-awaited elections to municipalities, municipal corporations, nagar panchayats and gram panchayats across the state.
Senior officials from the Municipal Administration and Panchayat Raj departments, including principal secretaries and commissioners, briefed the Commission on the status of election preparedness, pending court cases, voter lists and logistical arrangements.
One of the key issues discussed was whether the elections should be conducted using traditional ballot papers and ballot boxes or Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The SEC indicated that the Commission is preparing to conduct elections to 123 urban local bodies, including municipal corporations, municipalities and nagar panchayats.
Officials from the Municipal Administration Department informed the Commission that elections in certain urban local bodies have been delayed due to court cases related to ward delimitation and other issues.
Of the 23 pending court cases, four have already been resolved, while efforts are underway to secure the disposal of the remaining cases so that elections can be conducted without further delay.
The Commission also reviewed preparations for elections to village panchayats. Andhra Pradesh has 13,359 gram panchayats, and officials pointed out that elections could not be held in 354 panchayats during the 2021 local body polls.
Officials said steps are being taken to finalise and publish electoral rolls, identify polling stations and police deployment centres, and train election personnel so that the Commission can conduct the polls smoothly once the schedule is announced.
Although the SEC has not yet announced the election schedule, the latest review has fuelled speculation that Andhra Pradesh could head for municipal and panchayat elections in the near future.
