Officials bracing for local body polls

Vikarabad: In view of forthcoming panchayat and cooperative elections, the official machinery is also gearing up for municipal elections. In fact, the municipal elections may be held in four or five months from now. As the municipal administration issued orders in this regard, the district administration is busy with division of wards in newly formed municipalities. Some villages are merged with old municipalities. Apart from existing municipalities of Tandur, Vikarabad, the newly formed municipalities of Parigi and Kodangal will also have elections this time.

After considering population and number of votes, officials completed the division of wards in new municipalities. Nine wards in Parigi and seven wards in Kodangal were formed. The reservation for the municipalities will be announced after completion of voters list of SC, ST and BC and women. Officials prepared a draft on new wards. Objections if any will be accepted December 20. They are now focussing on voters lists of BC, SC, ST and women in old municipalities. Already elected councils are there in existing municipalities. The tenure will end on May 2019. But special officer’s rule has been continuing in the newly-formed municipalities.

Government is trying to hold municipal election after the Panchayat and cooperative elections, which may be held before Lok Sabha polls. Seven villages, which were merged into Vikarabad municipality approached court. They want to remain as panchayats. Excluding these seven villages, poll preparations are being done in remaining part of the district. There are 28 wards in Vikarabad and 31 wards in Tandur. As the towns expanded and several new colonies are developed, there is a possibility of change in limits of wards. Officials will keep update information online and appealing people to record their objections.