Telangana imposes Model Code of Conduct as local body elections are announced. Voting will take place using ballot papers across 31 districts in October-November.

Hyderabad  With the State Election Commission formally declaring the schedule for local body polls, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been brought into effect across Telangana starting Monday, September 29. The code will remain in force until the election process concludes.

The multi-phase elections will cover Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), and Gram Panchayats, with over 1.67 crore citizens eligible to cast their votes. Polling is set to be held through ballot papers and ballot boxes, which have been sourced from neighboring states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.

As per the commission’s schedule, voting for ZPTCs and MPTCs will be counted on November 11, while results for Gram Panchayats will be declared after polling ends. In all, 565 mandals across 31 districts are set to witness elections covering 565 ZPTCs, 5,749 MPTCs, 12,733 Gram Panchayats, and over 1.12 lakh wards.

Analysis: The decision to revert to ballot boxes instead of electronic voting machines may raise concerns about logistical efficiency and voter confidence. Rural areas in particular could face delays in counting, potentially impacting transparency. Voters, however, now have the opportunity to demand more accountability from local representatives, as grassroots governance directly affects everyday issues like water, sanitation, and roads.