Telangana Announces Comprehensive Schedule for Municipal Elections
The Telangana State Election Commission has officially unveiled a detailed, single-phase schedule for the upcoming municipal elections across the state. In a significant announcement made on Tuesday, State Election Commissioner I Rani Kumudini confirmed that polling will be conducted on February 11 for all seven municipal corporations and 116 municipalities simultaneously.
Key Dates and Election Timeline
The electoral process will commence with the issuance of the official election notification on January 28. This date also marks the beginning of the nomination process for aspiring candidates. The commission has outlined a clear timeline to ensure smooth conduct of the elections:
- Notification & Start of Nominations: January 28
- Last Date to File Nominations: January 31
- Final List of Candidates: February 3
- Polling Day: February 11
- Counting of Votes: February 13
Following the scrutiny of nominations and withdrawal period, the final list of contesting candidates will be formally published. The counting of votes is scheduled for February 13, with results expected to be declared shortly thereafter.
Scale and Scope of the Elections
Commissioner Kumudini emphasized that this schedule covers direct elections to all 2,996 wards across the 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations. This represents one of the most extensive local body electoral exercises in the state's recent history.
The electoral roll reveals substantial voter participation with 52.43 lakh registered voters eligible to cast their ballots. The gender-wise breakdown shows 25.62 lakh male voters and 26.8 lakh female voters, along with 640 voters in other categories.
Commission's Appeal and Political Context
The State Election Commissioner made a heartfelt appeal to all eligible voters, urging them to actively participate in the democratic process and exercise their franchise on polling day. "Your vote is your voice in shaping local governance," Kumudini remarked during the announcement.
This election follows the Telangana Cabinet's decision on January 18 to conduct municipal body elections at the earliest opportunity. The timing is particularly notable as it comes shortly after the completion of gram panchayat elections in December last year, creating a continuous cycle of local democratic exercises in the state.
The municipal elections represent a crucial test for political parties at the grassroots level, with outcomes likely to influence local governance and development priorities across Telangana's urban and semi-urban centers.
