Andhra Pradesh Sets Local Body Poll Dates; Municipal Voting Oct 28
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha announces the schedule for municipal, MPTC, ZPTC, and Gram Panchayat elections in Andhra Pradesh.
The electoral countdown has officially begun in Andhra Pradesh. State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha announced on Wednesday the comprehensive schedule for the upcoming local body elections, a process that is set to span from mid-October through early December.
Speaking in Vijayawada, the Commissioner confirmed that the entire electoral cycle, starting today, October 14, is slated to reach its conclusion by December 2, 2026. With the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has officially come into effect across the state.
Urban Local Bodies to Vote on October 28
The first major milestone in this electoral marathon involves the urban landscape. Notifications for approximately 100 urban local bodies are being issued this Wednesday. Voters in these municipalities will head to the polls on October 28.
The pace for urban elections will be rapid, with the counting of votes and the declaration of results scheduled for just two days later, on October 30. Following the direct voting process, indirect elections will conclude by November 5.
Schedule for MPTCs and ZPTCs
The focus will then shift to the territorial constituencies that form the backbone of rural administration. The election schedule for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) is as follows:
- Polling Date: November 3
- Result Declaration: November 5
Three-Phase Gram Panchayat Elections
The final and most extensive leg of the process involves the Gram Panchayat elections. To ensure smooth administration and conduct, the State Election Commission has decided to hold these polls in three distinct phases:
- First Phase: Polling on November 26
- Second Phase: Polling on November 29
- Third Phase: Polling on December 2
In a move to provide immediate clarity to the electorate, the Commissioner noted that the results for the Gram Panchayat elections will be declared on the same day the polling concludes for each respective phase.
This massive administrative undertaking marks a significant period for local governance in Andhra Pradesh, as the state prepares to refresh its leadership across urban, territorial, and village-level bodies.