Published Oct 30, 2026 | 2:57 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 30, 2026 | 2:57 PM
Polls
With campaigning for urban local body elections in Andhra Pradesh set to end at 5 pm on Friday, October 30, the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has submitted an affidavit to the High Court regarding the polls scheduled for November 1.
In the affidavit, the Commission informed the court that it is taking steps to make the nomination papers of contesting candidates available online. According to the Commission, candidate information is being organised and published online separately for each corporation and municipality.
Elections are being held in 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities across the state.
The affidavit further stated that special instructions have been issued to all municipalities to upload the details of contesting candidates, so that voters can access this information before the elections. The public can view these details through the dedicated portal.
Meanwhile, advocate Thandava Yogesh filed a fresh PIL seeking disclosure of details and affidavits of contesting candidates.
Also Read: AP MPTC, ZPTC poll schedule revised: Polling on 5 November, counting on 7 November
The State Election Commission has also granted permission for the distribution of social security pensions in Andhra Pradesh, and issued orders permitting the withdrawal of pension cash and its distribution to beneficiaries through authorised pension distribution staff.
The Commission took this decision after examining the proposal submitted by the Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP).
The Commission stated that this permission was granted to ensure the uninterrupted distribution of social security pensions to vulnerable sections of society, such as the elderly, widows, single women, differently-abled individuals, and those suffering from various health issues.
The Commission, however, specified that the “Distribution must be made only to existing beneficiaries who are already receiving pensions.”
“Under no circumstances should new beneficiaries be added to the list. No changes or modifications should be made to the pension amount of any currently active category,” it warned.
“Withdrawing, carrying, and distributing pension cash must be carried out strictly by officially permitted, authorised personnel. Necessary permissions must be obtained from the relevant competent authorities for this purpose. Required clearances must also be obtained for cash withdrawals from banks,” the Commission went on to add.
With the Model Code of Conduct in place, the Commission stated that strict action will be taken against any staff member involved in pension distribution if they act with malicious intent, violate election rules, or indulge in suspicious activities.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
