Overview
The Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) has released a detailed action plan for the upcoming local body elections. The plan outlines a three-phase schedule for gram panchayats (sarpanch and ward members) and a two-phase schedule for Mandal Parishad/Township committees (MP/ ZPTC). The exercise, projected to involve more than 1.67 crore rural voters, carries a proposed budget of ₹350 crore, with an initial ₹3.08 crore already released to kick off preparations.
Phased Schedule for Gram Panchayats
Local panchayat elections will be conducted in three phases to ensure orderly administration and broad participation. The state is gearing up to hold polls across 12,760 gram panchayats and 112,534 wards. The SEC has published granular phase-wise targets, including the number of mandals, gram panchayats, and wards to go to the polls in each phase.
Phase-wise Details
- Phase 1: 41 mandals, 1,098 gram panchayats, and 9,324 wards.
- Phase 2: 272 mandals, 5,910 gram panchayats, and 52,190 wards.
- Phase 3: 252 mandals, 5,752 gram panchayats, and 51,020 wards.
Two-Phase Elections for MP and ZPTC
For the MP Teshil-level and ZPTC elections, voting will be split into two phases. This structure balances logistical challenges with the goal of inclusive participation across the state.
Phase-wise MP/ZPTC Details
- Phase 1: 290 ZPTCs and 2,977 MP seats go to the polls.
- Phase 2: 275 ZPTCs and 2,786 MP seats go to the polls.
<h2 Voter and Institutional Scale
SEC has identified a total rural voter base of 1,67,03,168 (approximately 16.7 million). Of these, 85,36,770 are women voters, highlighting the emphasis on female participation in local governance.
<h2 Budget, Expenditure, and Early Preparations
The governance plan estimates a total budget of ₹350 crore for the local elections. As part of early preparations, ₹3.08 crore has already been released to fund initial activities, with more funds expected as the process advances. The scale of the exercise also includes extensive electoral infrastructure across the state.
<h2 Electoral Infrastructure and Staffing
To ensure smooth conduct, the SEC is mobilizing a large workforce. For the MP/ZPTC polls, the commission plans to deploy 651 AROs and 2,337 ARVOs among a broader pool of 1,98,258 staff members. Across gram panchayat elections combined (two phases), about 2,07,000 staff will be involved in ballot management, voter assistance, and polling operations.
<h2 Ballot Boxes and Logistics
Logistical preparations include a substantial requirement for ballot boxes. The commission estimates a need for 1,72,916 ballot boxes, with 1,18,547 already prepared. This stock is part of the broader arrangement to ensure transparent and efficient voting across a diverse and dispersed rural landscape.
<h2 Indirect Elections and Leadership Positions
Several leadership posts at the sub-district level will be filled through indirect elections. Notably, 565 Mandal Praja Parishad presidents (MPPs) and 31 district Zilla Parishad chairperson positions are to be decided indirectly, reflecting the multi-layered structure of local governance in Telangana.
<h2 What This Means for Voters and Parties
With a three-phase model for gram panchayats and a two-phase approach for MP/ZPTC bodies, voters will experience staggered elections that aim to improve turnout and administrative efficiency. Political parties and independent candidates will prepare to contest in 11 recognized parties and 31 registered parties set to field their slates in MP and ZPTC elections, alongside nonpartisan gram panchayat races.
<h2 Looking Ahead
Telangana’s local elections are poised to redefine grassroots governance, with the SEC emphasizing robust planning, transparent logistics, and broad participation. As the timelines unfold, voters and candidates will watch how the three-phase and two-phase schedules translate into real-world engagement at the village, mandal, and district levels.
