AP Municipal Elections: High Court Clears Way for Poll Process

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has given a significant direction paving the way for local body elections in the state. The court struck down the government orders providing 34% reservation for Backward Classes in local body elections and directed the state government and the State Election Commission to initiate the election process at the earliest, and in any case within six weeks. The court noted that the terms of urban local bodies and gram panchayats had already ended earlier this year.

Following the court’s directions, preparations for municipal and other local body elections are expected to gather pace across Andhra Pradesh. Officials have already been working on election-related arrangements, while political parties and leaders are awaiting the State Election Commission’s official notification and schedule. Reports suggesting that the municipal election notification could be issued on October 3 or 5 have been circulating, but the exact date has not yet been officially confirmed by the State Election Commission.