Telangana gears up for local body elections; numbers of ZPTC, MPTCs finalised
As per official figures, there will be a total of 566 MPP and ZPTC seats, and 5,773 MPTC seats in the upcoming polls. The number of Gram Panchayats has been confirmed as 12,778, while the total number of wards stands at approximately 1.12 lakh.
Local body elections were previously held only once in 2019, after the formation of the State in 2014. At that time, there were 570 MPP and ZPTC seats, 5,817 MPTC seats and 12,848 Gram Panchayats. With several Gram Panchayats having been merged with municipalities and municipal corporations, the number of GPs has come down, said an official.
In a memo issued on Tuesday by the Director of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development G. Srijana, all District Collectors, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), and District Panchayat Officers (DPOs) have been instructed to initiate immediate preparations. These include verifying and maintaining election materials supplied last year and procuring other essential materials locally with the approval of the District Purchase Committees.
The Panchayat Raj department has directed that all necessary arrangements, including the supply and verification of statutory and non-statutory forms, seals, covers and handbooks be completed without delay.
The High Court of Telangana has mandated that the election process be concluded by September 30. Acting on this directive, the State administration has intensified efforts to complete preparations well ahead of the deadline.
Ms. G. Srijana has also cautioned officials that any deviation from the instructions or delay in readiness will be viewed seriously, and the concerned officers will be held accountable. Meanwhile, an ordinance to provide 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections has reportedly been forwarded to the Governor for his approval. The reservations in each district will be finalised by the Dedicated Commission on BC Quota after receiving the Governor's assent.
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