AP High Court Dismisses 50 Petitions Challenging Ward Delimitation

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has dismissed 50 petitions challenging the delimitation of wards in municipal corporations, municipalities and nagar panchayats across the state. The court clarified that ward delimitation does not alter the geographical boundaries of local bodies. It also observed that the exercise does not prevent authorities from issuing administrative orders concerning tax collection, development works and infrastructure. Since wards in municipal corporations do not possess independent administrative powers, they cannot be treated as administrative units, the court said.

The court further ruled that the Centre’s circular freezing administrative boundaries for Census-2027 cannot be applied to ward delimitation. It said ward delimitation cannot be linked with the census process or voting in local-body elections. Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas, appearing for the state government, argued that the exercise was aimed at ensuring equal representation and that stopping it could delay local-body elections. Considering the arguments, Justice N. Harinath dismissed all the petitions on Thursday.