Municipal elections likely in mid-August

Hyderabad: Municipal elections in the state are likely to be held in the second week of August.

Municipal authorities are in the process of finalising the draft voters' list as per wards and planning to complete the ward reservations by July-end.

It is learnt that the decision to hold elections in August was intimated to the municipal authorities.

There are 142 municipalities in the state and elections would be held in 138 municipalities.

The municipalities where there will be no elections include Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Siddipet, Achampet and Badepally as the term of these civic bodies is yet to end.

The government has recently issued ordinance for taking up the polls. The government has also finalised the delimitation of wards in the municipalities. As per the 2011 Census, the population in the ULBs is 76,08,073 and the wards are 2,631.

However, as per the ordinance, the number of wards will be going up to 3,385 in 138 ULBs with the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation having the highest number of 66 wards and Khanapur and a few other municipalities with only 12 wards.

The officials have already started the preparation for the civic polls, said a senior official.

Sources said the draft voters' list is likely to be published on July 12. Later, the authorities would take up the reservation of wards for the SC, ST, BC and women.

The reservation process is likely to be completed in the third week of July and there by the State Election Commission can initiate the process.

The poll process is likely to be completed within 25 days after the issuing of notification.