New rules notified for municipal elections

Amaravati: The state government has issued a set of new regulations governing the conduct of municipal elections in the state, including the election of mayors and corporators. The government has given the green signal for implementation of the Municipal (Amendment) Act-2026, which has come into force from August 28.

The municipal administration department issued six G.Os notifying the implementation of the amended legislation. The government finalized the rules governing the election of mayors and corporators. Under the new rules, the nomination deposit has been fixed at Rs 5,000 for general-category candidates and Rs 2,500 for candidates belonging to SC, ST and BC categories.

Candidates will be permitted to file a maximum of four sets of nomination papers. It has also been made mandatory for candidates to submit a notarized affidavit containing details of their criminal antecedents, assets, liabilities and educational qualifications.

The government has also laid down strict provisions for maintaining discipline at polling stations. Votes may be cancelled in case of violations of prescribed polling regulations. The Presiding Officer has been vested with full authority to recall ballot papers wherever required under the rules. Special provisions have been made to facilitate voting by visually impaired and elderly voters. Such voters may be assisted by one person aged 18 years or above.

However, the government has stipulated that one individual can act as an assistant for only one voter.

The new provisions are aimed at streamlining the municipal election process and ensuring greater transparency and discipline in the conduct of polling.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India