What Steps Are Initiated for Rural Local Body Elections in Telangana?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The election process for rural local bodies in Telangana has commenced.
- Nominations for the first phase of polling will be accepted until October 11.
- Over 1.67 crore voters are eligible to participate.
- Voting will utilize ballot boxes sourced from multiple states.
- Some areas will not participate due to legal issues.
Hyderabad, Oct 9 (NationPress) The election process for rural local bodies in Telangana has officially commenced, with the State Election Commission issuing a notice for the initial phase of polling on Thursday.
Nominations for the first phase, covering both Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), will be accepted starting today. Returning officers have dispatched notices inviting nominations.
The first phase of the elections is scheduled for October 23 and will encompass 2,963 MPTCs and 292 ZPTCs.
Nominations will remain open until October 11, with scrutiny of these nominations taking place the following day. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 15.
Despite ongoing petitions in the High Court regarding 42 percent reservations for Backward Classes (BCs), the State Election Commission is proceeding with the electoral process.
According to the schedule announced on September 29, elections for ZPTCs, MPTCs, and Gram Panchayats will occur in five phases throughout October and November.
MPTC and ZPTC elections will take place in two phases on October 23 and October 27, while Gram Panchayats will vote in three phases on October 31, November 4, and November 8.
State Election Commissioner Rani Kumudini stated that more than 1.67 crore voters are eligible to participate in these elections.
Votes cast in ZPTCs and MPTCs will be counted on November 11, with the counting for gram panchayats to follow post-polling.
The elections will be conducted across 565 mandals in 31 districts. Polling will be organized for 565 ZPTCs, 5,749 MPTCs, 12,733 gram panchayats, and 1,12,288 wards.
However, elections will not occur for 14 MPTCs, 27 gram panchayats, and 246 wards due to stay orders from various court cases.
The polling will utilize ballot boxes and ballot papers, with ballot boxes being sourced from Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
As per the State Election Commissioner, the voter demographic comprises 1,67,03,168 individuals, including 81,65,894 males, 85,36,770 females, and 504 others.