Hyderabad: Telangana municipal elections began on Wednesday with candidates filing 902 nominations on the first day, the State Election Commission said.
The SEC said 890 candidates, including 55 independents, submitted nomination papers. Returning officers issued election notices and formally launched the poll process.
The state will hold elections for seven municipal corporations and 116 municipalities on February 11. According to the SEC, 123 urban local bodies will go to polls, covering 2,996 wards.
The ruling Congress led the field as 382 of its candidates filed nominations. Meanwhile, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi submitted 258 nominations, while the Bharatiya Janata Party fielded 169 candidates.
Telangana municipal elections schedule and poll arrangements
The SEC displayed ward-wise electoral rolls of urban local bodies on Wednesday. A total of 52.43 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes.
This electorate includes 25.62 lakh men, 26.80 lakh women, and 640 others. State Election Commissioner I. Ranu Kumudini released the election schedule on Tuesday.
January 30 is the last date for filing nominations. The SEC will take up scrutiny of nominations on January 31.
The commission will publish the list of validly nominated candidates on January 31. Candidates can file appeals against rejection on February 1, and the SEC will dispose of them on February 2.
February 3 is the last date for withdrawal of candidatures. The final list of contesting candidates will also be published on the same day.
Polling will take place on February 11. Officials will conduct re-polling, if required, on February 12, while counting of votes will follow on February 13.
The SEC will set up 8,203 polling stations and arrange 16,031 ballot boxes. It will also establish 137 strong rooms and 136 counting centres.
Meanwhile, the SEC issued guidelines for candidates filing nominations. It allowed only three persons, including the candidate and proposer, inside the returning officer’s office.
The commission also restricted vehicle movement to two vehicles per candidate within 100 metres. It said help desks were operational at all returning officer offices, municipalities, and municipal corporations.