VMC to hold elections for 86 wards

Vijayawada: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is set to conduct elections for 86 wards, up from the existing 64, following the issuance of a fresh preliminary notification on ward delimitation in compliance with an order of AP High Court.

Recent reports indicate that VMC has a total electorate of approximately 806,962. The electoral rolls have been updated to align with the newly proposed 86-ward structure. This increase in the number of wards aims to improve the distribution of voters and enhance administrative efficiency. The VMC issued fresh preliminary notification on Friday, stating that the corporation would be divided into 86 election wards.

The move follows High Court’s order on September 3, disposing of a writ petition challenging the earlier delimitation notification issued by the VMC on May 17 and directing the authorities to issue a fresh notification. The civic body has prepared draft boundaries for all 86 wards. The proposed ward boundaries will be made available for public inspection and verification from September 5 to 11 at the VMC Head Office, three VMC circle offices and other important government offices within the corporation limits.

Residents have been invited to submit written suggestions or objections, if any, to the VMC Commissioner and Additional Election Authority on or before September 11.

The fresh delimitation has been undertaken in accordance with the instructions issued by the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration on September 4 and the provisions of Rule 8 of Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Delimitation of Wards) Rules, 1996, and subsequent amendments.

As part of the restructuring, several larger and densely populated wards in Vijayawada East, Central and West constituencies have been bifurcated. The proposed arrangement is expected to maintain an average electorate of around 8,000 to 10,000 voters per ward.

The final delimitation will be notified after examining the suggestions and objections received from the public. The VMC authorities urged residents to verify the proposed boundaries and submit their views within the stipulated seven-day period.

The completion of the delimitation process is expected to pave the way for elections to the restructured 86 wards of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation.

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The Hans India