Panchayat elections will be completed July end: SEC

Hyderabad : State Election Commissioner Nagi Reddy has directed the officials to complete the process of Panchayat Raj elections by July end.

The SEC held a review meeting with the District Collectors, SPs and Panchayat Raj Department officials on conduct of elections. Addressing the meeting, he said that the conduct of Panchayat Raj polls was a big challenge. Stating that MPTC and ZPTC polls would be held next years, he said elections for all Panchayats should be completed by July end at any cost. He directed the State Government not to launch any new programmes in the next two months in view of polls.

Nagi Reddy directed the officials to prepare a comprehensive strategy for the conduct of elections. He said police should be on alert and additional forces should be called from neighbouring States whenever required.

The SEC informed that the draft electoral rolls for Panchayat elections were ready. He said 1.5 crore voters would participate in the polls. However, he said the final electoral rolls would be ready by June 15. He directed the District Collectors to appoint Returning Officers. He said ballot papers should be printed locally.