Telangana Gram Panchayat poll schedule out: Voting on Dec 11, 14 and 17

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Election Commission (TGSEC) on Tuesday announced a three-phase schedule for the crucial Gram Panchayat elections, with voting set to take place on December 11, 14 and 17.

MCC sets in

The announcement brings into immediate effect the Model Code of Conduct across the state, marking the formal start of the electoral process for the third tier of self-governance.

The decision to hold the elections follows recent legal clarity and a compelling financial urgency, ensuring that the state’s rural local bodies do not lose out on a significant Central government grant.

Financial grant of Rs 3,000 crore at stake

The urgency in announcing the schedule stems from the need to access approximately Rs 3,000 crore in grants from the 15th Finance Commission, which will lapse if the local body elections are not completed before the financial year ends in March 2026.

With the issuance of the notification, all political activities come under the purview of the Model Code of Conduct, which is strictly enforced by the TSEC.

Here’s a look at the election schedule and dates

Elections will be held in three phases on December 11, 14 and 17.

Phase 1: Voting on December 11

Nominations open from November 27

Phase 2: Voting on December 14

Nominations open from November 30

Phase 3: Voting on December 17

Nominations open from December 3

BC reservation in Telangana

The election process had been complicated due to legal challenges regarding the reservation quota for Backward Classes (BCs).

The State government recently set the stage for the polls by issuing new guidelines for reservations for SC, ST, BC and women within the 50 per cent ceiling mandated by the Supreme Court, allowing the SEC to move forward.