Second Phase of Panchayat Elections Begins in Telangana

Polling for the second phase of gram panchayat elections has begun in Telangana. Elections are being held for 3,911 gram panchayat sarpanch posts and 29,917 ward member posts across 193 mandals in the state. A total of 12,782 candidates are contesting for sarpanch positions, while 71,071 candidates are in the fray for ward member seats.

Overall, 57,22,465 voters are expected to exercise their franchise at 38,337 polling stations. Polling will continue until 1:00 PM, after which vote counting will begin from 2:00 PM, and results will be declared. Subsequently, meetings of ward members will be held to conduct deputy sarpanch elections.

For the second phase, notifications were issued for elections to 4,333 sarpanch posts and 38,350 ward member posts. Of these, 415 sarpanch posts and 8,307 ward member posts were elected unopposed. No nominations were filed in five villages and 108 wards, while elections were suspended in two villages and 18 wards. Elections are being conducted in the remaining panchayats.

A total of 4,593 returning officers and 30,661 staff members have been deployed for election duties, along with 2,489 micro observers. Around 40,626 ballot papers are being used. Webcasting is being carried out at 3,769 polling stations identified as sensitive to ensure transparency and securit