Notification for municipal polls across Telangana likely next week

The State Election Commission (SEC) is expected to issue the notification for the much-awaited municipal elections next week and hold the polling in two phases. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken by the State Cabinet scheduled to meet here on Saturday.

Among 141 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the State, the SEC decided to hold polling for 120 of 128 municipalities and nine of 13 municipal corporations in the State. The district Collectors have already been instructed to make necessary arrangements to conduct the elections. 

However, about 90 petitions were filed in the State High Court challenging poll preparatory work in 77 ULBs, becoming a hindrance to complete the elections as per the orders of a division bench of the High Court before December end.

Considering both the pending court cases and also the huge arrangements required to hold the municipal polls in all 129 ULBs on the same day, the Commission is learnt to be considering holding the elections in two phases.

Accordingly, election will be held for around 53 ULBs which



have no legal issues in first phase. The polling for 77 ULBs against which court cases are pending, will be held in second phase.

“Conducting municipal polls in two phases will address major issues such as poll arrangements and pending court cases. While the second phase of municipal polls can be held at a later date as per the High Court directions, we can scale down arrangements like manpower and other material. However, a final decision will be taken in consultation with the State government,” said a senior official in the State Election Commission.

The municipal elections were supposed to be held in August, but petitions were filed in the High Court alleging irregularities in the voters list. The SEC has already transported major portion of election material to the district headquarters and conducted training for government employees to ensure smooth polling. The State government has also prepared a draft report on reservations for all the municipalities and municipal corporations which is likely to be released in a couple of days.