Government of Andhra Pradesh. issues rules for the direct election of mayors, presidents of municipalities

Guntur Municipal Corporation Building. | Photo credit: File photo

The Andhra Pradesh government on Saturday issued statutory rules and regulations for holding regular elections to urban local bodies (ULBs), paving the way for direct election of mayors and chairmen and election of councilors.

Under the amended municipal laws, mayors of municipal corporations and chairmen of municipalities and nagar panchayats will be elected directly by voters whose names appear in the respective electoral rolls. This replaces the earlier system of indirect election by elected members and eligible ex-officio members.

The rules prescribe procedures for notification of elections, submission of nominations, scrutiny and withdrawal of candidature, publication of list of candidates, allocation of symbols, appointment of election agents, postal ballots, use of ballot papers or electronic voting machines, NOTAs, contested and tendered votes, counting and recounting, declaration of results and submission of election expenditure accounts.

The directly elected mayor or chairman will have a five-year term of office and will become a member of the relevant company or municipality by virtue of the performance of the position.

The government also issued separate rules for the election of one deputy mayor in each municipal corporation and one vice-chairman in each village or nagar panchayat, replacing the earlier provision of two such posts. These positions will continue to be filled through indirect elections by eligible elected and ex-officio members.

An extraordinary meeting to elect a deputy mayor must be held within 15 days of the company’s first meeting. Similar provisions were prescribed for the election of Vice-Presidents, including those relating to quorum, nominations, party authorization, voting by show of hands and party whips.

Meanwhile, a 14-day exercise to identify SC, ST, BC and women voters for reservation will begin on September 8 in 59 ULBs, including Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation and 58 municipalities and nagar panchayats. The final voter lists by category are to be published on September 21.

Following the recent Supreme Court delimitation orders, the preparation of electoral roll in 41 ULBs has been prioritized and is expected to be completed within a week. Further action in the 23 ULBs subject to pending court proceedings will be taken in accordance with the orders of the High Court.

Municipal Administration Minister Ponguru Narayana directed the officials to strictly adhere to the prescribed time schedules. Chief Secretary S. Suresh Kumar said the department was coordinating with the district and city offices and the State Election Commission to complete preparations.

Published – 05 Sep 2026 19:59 IST