Full Breakdown
Andhra Pradesh Sets Timeline for Urban and Rural Local Body Elections 2026
By Drooid · · How we work
Election Schedule Overview
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (APSEC) announced a comprehensive timetable for elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and Gram Panchayats. The announcement triggered the Model Code of Conduct, barring the state government from launching new welfare schemes or development projects during the electoral period.
Timeline of Key Dates
- October 14 2026 – Process officially begins, as stated by State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha.
- October 16 – Election notices for ULBs are to be published.
- October 18–21 – Nomination filing (by 18), scrutiny (by 19) and withdrawal deadline (by 21) for ULB candidates.
- October 23–27 – Nomination filing (by 23), scrutiny (by 24), appeal filing (by 25) and disposal (by 26), with withdrawal deadline on 27 for MPTC/ZPTC candidates.
- October 28 – Polling for all 100 ULBs, including 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities/nagar panchayats.
- October 30 – Counting and declaration of ULB results.
- November 3 – Polling for MPTCs and ZPTCs.
- November 5 – Declaration of MPTC/ZPTC results.
- November 13, 16, 19 – Notifications for indirect elections of Sarpanches and Upa-Sarpanches.
- November 26, 29, December 2 – Three-phase Gram Panchayat polling, with results declared on each polling day.
- December 2 2026 – Completion of the entire election process.
Scope of Elections
APSEC issued notifications for 100 ULBs: 13 municipal corporations (e.g., Greater Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati) and 87 municipalities or Nagar Panchayats. An additional 23 ULBs remain pending due to legal issues. Elections for MPTCs, ZPTCs and Gram Panchayats will follow the dates listed above, covering the full spectrum of local governance bodies across the state.
Official Statements & Responses
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha emphasized that the elections will be conducted using the existing voter lists, noting that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is still pending. He directed relevant departments to issue caste and no-dues certificates to candidates within 24 hours and highlighted a focus on “unanimous elections” to mitigate manipulation.
Verbatim Quotes
“The entire process is starting today, on October 14, and will be completed on December 2, 2026. Now that I have announced the schedule of elections, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect from today,” — Anil Chandra Punetha, state election commissioner