Telangana gram panchayat polls see 395 sarpanches elected unopposed in first phase

Hyderabad: The Telangana gram panchayat polls entered the first phase with 395 sarpanches securing their seats unopposed, according to the State Election Commission. Elections will take place on December 11 in 3,836 villages out of the 4,236 notified. SEC officials also reported that five villages did not receive a single nomination for the sarpanch post.

Candidates withdrew in large numbers. A total of 8,095 contestants stepped back from the sarpanch race, while 9,626 withdrew from ward member contests. Out of 37,440 ward seats, 149 attracted no nominations. Meanwhile, 9,331 ward members won their posts without contest. At present, 13,127 candidates remain in the fray for 3,836 sarpanch posts, and 67,893 contestants continue to compete for 27,960 ward seats.

District trends shape Telangana gram panchayat polls outcome

Officials said several villages changed sarpanch candidates through local auctions. District collectors formed inquiry teams, yet villagers declined to file complaints. As a result, returning officers proceeded with unopposed declarations. Authorities acknowledged receiving reports about these auctions, but they could not take formal action without evidence.

Vikarabad district topped the list with 39 unopposed sarpanches. Adilabad followed with 33, Nizamabad with 29 and Nalgonda with 22. Karimnagar recorded only three. Medak, Siddipet, Bhongir and Nirmal each reported 16. Gadwal had 15. Bhadradri Kothagudem and Nagarkurnool posted 14 each. Kamareddy and Warangal counted 11 each. Mahbubnagar and Jangaon listed 10 each. Mancherial and Ranga Reddy recorded six each. Vanaparthy had five. Hanamkonda, Jagtial and Peddapalli saw four each, while Narayanpet reported one.

In total, 81,020 candidates will contest 31,796 posts during the December 11 phase of the Telangana gram panchayat polls.