Political parties gear up for civic polls

visakhapatnam: With the ward reservations now finalised, political parties are expected to accelerate their election strategies, assess local political equations and identify suitable candidates for the respective wards.

The District Election Officer and Collector M Abhishikth Kishore issued a notification finalising reservations for all 120 wards under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).

Now, the role of political parties have to intensify preparations and begin the selection of candidates.

The notification specifies the category-wise allocation of wards following the reorganisation of the civic body from 98 to 120 wards. The State Election Commission (SEC) issued a gazette notification on Monday detailing the reservation pattern based on population, covering Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Backward Classes (BCs) and women.

According to the reservation notification, 1 ward for ST, 5 wards for SCs (General), 5 wards for SCs (Women), 25 wards for BCs (General), 24 wards for BCs (Women), 29 wards for the General Category and 31 wards for the General Category (Women).

According to the election schedule announced by the State Election Commissioner, polling for 13 municipal corporations, 77 municipalities and 10 nagar panchayats are scheduled for the 28th of this month. The election code of conduct came into force across the state on Wednesday.

The authorities have also finalised the maximum expenditure limits for candidates contesting the municipal elections. In the GVMC elections, candidates contesting for the Mayor’s post will be permitted to spend up to Rs.40 lakh, while corporator candidates will have an expenditure ceiling of Rs.15 lakh.

Compared to other municipal corporations, the Visakhapatnam Mayoral candidate has been permitted to spend the highest amount during the election process.

This is because the corporation is the largest jurisdiction with a huge population that gains greater significance,

For mayoral candidates in other municipal corporations, the expenditure limit has been fixed at Rs 25 lakh, while corporator candidates in those corporations will be permitted to spend up to Rs.10 lakh. Meanwhile, District Election Officer M Abhishikth Kishore directed officials to ensure comprehensive security arrangements at strong rooms and vote-counting centres as part of the GVMC election preparations. Ahead of the counting scheduled for the 30th of this month, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and other officials inspected the strong rooms and counting centres established at the Andhra University North and South campuses.

During the inspection, officials reviewed arrangements for counting tables, the number of counting rounds, reception centres, control rooms and other essential facilities required for the smooth and transparent conduct of the counting process.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasu Potnuru

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Potnuru Srinivasa Rao (Vasu Potnuru) is an experienced journalist specialised in politics, sports, crime, general topics and tribal stories. With 18 years of writing and reporting expertise, he contributes to The Hans India's editorial department as Principal Correspondent based in Visakhapatnam. Vasu Potnuru completed his Bachelor of Business Management. Earlier, he worked as a staff reporter in a leading Telugu vernacular. During free time, the journalist spends time listening to music, playing cricket and shuttle badminton. Vasu Potnuru, an accomplished writer, honed his expertise in various genres such as politics, crime, sports and general topics. He received an award from the HYBIZ Media Awards for the Best Rural Story in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Also, he bagged the Best Crime Reporter Award in Visakhapatnam. He serves in different unions of working journalists and contributes to service activities.

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