The latest circular emphasises zero tolerance for coercion or inducement and fixes strict personal accountability on officers for any lapses.
Published Nov 28, 2025 | 4:32 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 28, 2025 | 4:32 PM
Voters wait outside a polling booth in Telangana (CEOTelangana/X)
Synopsis: The Telangana State Election Commission issued detailed guidelines to District Election Authorities and Returning Officers to prevent the auctioning of sarpanch posts or forced withdrawal of candidates aimed at engineering “unanimous” elections. The latest circular emphasises zero tolerance for coercion or inducement and fixes strict personal accountability on officers for any lapses.
In a proactive measure, the Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC) has issued detailed guidelines to District Election Authorities (DEAs) and Returning Officers (ROs) to prevent the auctioning of sarpanch posts or forced withdrawal of candidates aimed at engineering “unanimous” elections.
The directive comes in response to past instances where sarpanch posts were reportedly auctioned. The modus operandi involves bidders competing for the” right to file” nomination papers, with the highest bidder paying the agreed amount and other aspirants withdrawing in exchange for a share of the money.
While the SEC permits unopposed elections to avoid unnecessary tension in villages and reduce avoidable expenditure on polls, some groups have exploited this provision by auctioning posts and pressuring rivals to stay out of the contest.
The latest circular emphasises zero tolerance for coercion or inducement and fixes strict personal accountability on officers for any lapses.
The key guidelines include:
Once the withdrawal deadline passes and only one contestant remains, the RO must immediately prepare the result sheet (Form-X) and election declaration.
Before signing and issuing the declaration, the RO must instantly inform the District Election Authority of the factual position through the fastest means (WhatsApp, email, or special messenger).
The DEA, through its Special Monitoring Cell, must conduct same-day verification to confirm that the unopposed outcome is free from coercion, inducement, intimidation, or “auctioning” — practices prohibited under Section 201 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018.
Only after the Collector-cum-DEA issues a same-day No Objection/Clearance can the RO formally declare the result.
In villages where there is prima facie suspicion of an orchestrated environment of enticement or intimidation, the RO must withhold the declaration, and a summary enquiry must be completed within 24 hours.
If violations are found, the matter must be reported immediately to the State Election Commissioner, who may countermand the election.
The SEC has warned that deliberate non-compliance will invite strict disciplinary action against Returning Officers, including RDOs and other designated officers.
The Commission clarified that the instructions are meant to protect the spirit of Rule 15 of the Model Panchayat Election Rules, 2018, without causing bureaucratic delays.
Apart from this, every candidate withdrawing nomination must now submit a mandatory declaration stating that the withdrawal is voluntary and not due to threats, intimidation, auction pressure, or financial inducement. This declaration, duly signed and sealed, will be collected and verified by the RO.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
