Ground Being Prepared For AP Local Bodies Polls In Aug, September

Amaravati: There is a buzz in the air in Andhra Pradesh with respect to elections to local bodies. The state Election Commission in coordination with the Panchayat Raj department, has already been making preparations to this effect. Election to local bodies it is learnt, are set to be held in the months of August, September this year.

However, the new government which would take over after the results are announced on May 23, will take a final decision on this. The state government would have to announce the SC/ST reserved seats for Sarpanch/Ward Member positions and communicate this information to the Election Commission. The tenure of the Sarpanches in villages had expired on August 1, 2018 and the reins of authority have moved into the hands of Special Officers.

Elections are likely to be conducted in three phases for 12,918 village panchayats and 142 tribal hamlets (tandas) which have been accorded Panchayat status, taking the total number to 13,060. These Gram Panchayats would be split into 1,29,240 wards.

Election Commission officials in consultation with Panchayat Raj authorities are planning to announce the schedule towards the end of July, after due approval from the new government. It is learnt that the division of wards would be announced by May 20th and the voters' lists displayed (ward-wise) in the notice board, as per the directions of the State Election Commission.

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