ZPTC, MPTC poll notification out, counting on Nov 11

Hyderabad: The election process for rural local bodies in Telangana formally began on Thursday, with the State Election Commission (SEC) issuing the notification for the first phase of polling.

The elections will cover both Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) across the state.

Five-phase schedule for rural polls, first phase on October 23

Returning officers have called for nominations from Thursday, marking the start of the electoral process.

Here’s the timeline for the polling:

- Last date for filing nominations: October 11

- Scrutiny of nominations: October 12

- Last date for withdrawal: October 15

- Polling for the first phase will be held on October 23, covering 2,963 MPTCs and 292 ZPTCs

- MPTC and ZPTC polls on October 23 and October 27

- Gram Panchayat polls on October 31, November 4 and November 8

- Counting of votes for ZPTCs and MPTCs will take place on November 11, while counting for Gram Panchayats will follow their respective polling dates.

SEC proceeds despite court hearings on BC bill

Even as petitions challenging the 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) are pending before the Telangana High Court, the SEC is going ahead with the election schedule as announced earlier.

As per the schedule issued on September 29, elections to ZPTCs, MPTCs and Gram Panchayats will be held in five phases during October and November.

1.67 crore voters to cast ballots

State Election Commissioner Rani Kumudini announced that 1,67,03,168 voters are eligible to participate in the rural local body elections. This includes 81,65,894 males, 85,36,770 females and 504 others.

Polling in 565 mandals across 31 districts

Elections will be conducted in 565 mandals spread across 31 districts, covering 565 ZPTCs, 5,749 MPTCs, 12,733 gram panchayats and 1,12,288 wards. However, polls will not be held for 14 MPTCs, 27 gram panchayats, and 246 wards due to stay orders from various courts.

Ballot boxes borrowed from neighbouring states

The SEC will conduct the elections using ballot boxes and ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Ballot boxes have been borrowed from Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to meet the polling requirement.