APSEC reviews preparations for local body polls

APSEC reviews preparations for local body polls Updated – August 19, 2026 09: 06 pm IST – VISAKHAPATNAM.

Key points

• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Polling will be scheduled for the 15th day after the notification release, and results will be declared on the 18th day.
• MPTC and ZPTC Polls: After notifications, polling will be on the 16th day and results will be declared on the 19th day.
• Gram Panchayats: Polling is planned for the 14th day post-notification, followed by vote counting as per commission norms.
• The Commissioner instructed the authorities to keep primary data ready for elections spanning gram panchayats, mandal parishads, district parishads, municipalities, nagar panchayats, and municipal corporations.
• Abhishikt Kishore briefed the conference on local groundwork, covering polling station identification, staff recruitment, material readiness, and infrastructure development.

State Election Commissioner (SEC) Anil Chandra Punetha and Secretary Mallikarjuna have directed the district administrations to step up preparations for the smooth and transparent conduct of local body elections throughout Andhra Pradesh including Visakhapatnam.

Addressing district collectors, panchayat officers, ZP CEOs, and municipal commissioners via video conference from Amaravati on Wednesday, the SEC emphasised that the entire electoral exercise must be carried out in a free, fair, and impartial manner.

For context, the Commissioner instructed the authorities to keep primary data ready for elections spanning gram panchayats, mandal parishads, district parishads, municipalities, nagar panchayats, and municipal corporations. Authorities were directed to meticulously cross-check ward-wise details, reservation structures, and total voter counts to prevent administrative hurdles.

Furthermore, authorities were directed to compile staff deployment details and impart multi-phased training on election rules and responsibilities. The availability of ballot papers, ballot boxes, sealing equipment, solid rooms, and reception centres must be thoroughly pre-verified, the Commissioner stated.

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Polling will be scheduled for the 15th day after the notification release, and results will be declared on the 18th day. According to authorities, since voters would cast two separate votes during Mayor and Municipal Chairperson elections, it is essential for polling personnel to be thoroughly trained regarding the procedures.

District Collector M. Abhishikt Kishore briefed the conference on local groundwork, covering polling station identification, staff recruitment, material readiness, and infrastructure development. GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg among others was present.

In short, APSEC reviews preparations for local body polls is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.