The State Election Commission of Telangana announced the panchayat election dates. State election commissioner Rani Kumudini issued the notification on Tuesday evening, ending a long wait for the schedule and confirming the start of the election code.
The polls will be held in three phases on December 11, 14 and 17. Polling runs from 7 am to 1 pm, and counting starts at 2 pm. Rani Kumudini said the election code applies from Tuesday and covers all panchayat areas.
She said they issued the earlier notification on September 29, but a stay halted it on October 9. There are 1.66 crore voters in panchayats across Telangana, making this a large and important local exercise for the state.
The first phase covers 4200 sarpanch posts and 37,440 wards. Nominations open from Thursday, November 27, for this phase. Rani Kumudini said the process aims to ensure a smooth and clear start to the long-pending elections.
The panchayat polls were delayed for two years as the government kept pushing dates. The 42% BC reservation issue also played a part. The Supreme Court later fixed a 50% cap, and the Congress promised 42% BC reservations within the party.
With recent wins in the cantonment seat and Jubilee Hills, the Revanth government feels confident about the panchayat polls. BRS, on the other hand, hopes to gain from discontent at the grassroots level and expects stronger support in local areas.
