Telangana SEC sounds poll bugle, notifies MPTC, ZPTC and panchayat elections

Model Code of Conduct in place as State Election Commission notifies polling dates.

Published Sep 29, 2025 | 12:27 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 29, 2025 | 12:27 PM

Panchayat elections. (iStock)

Synopsis: The announcement came even as a petition was pending before the High Court challenging the 42 percent hike in reservations for Backward Classes.

The Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC) on Monday, 29 September, announced two-phase polling for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MTPCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), and a three-phase polling for gram panchayats.

The announcement came even as a petition was pending before the High Court challenging the 42 percent hike in reservations for Backward Classes (BCs).

First phase:

Poll notification: 9 October
Polling: 23 October
Counting: 11 November

Second Phase:

Poll notification: 13 October
Polling: 17 October
Counting: 11 November

Gram Panchayats:

First Phase:

Poll notification: 17 October
Polling: 31 October
Counting: 31 October

Second Phase:

Poll notification: 21 October
Polling: 4 November
Counting: 4 November

Third Phase:

Poll notification: 25 October
Polling: 8 November
Counting:8 November

Elections are for:

Total Number of ZPTCs: 565
Total Number of MPTCs: 5,749
Total Number of Gram Panchayats: 12,733
Total Number of Wards: 1,12,288

Voters:

Total Number of voters: 1,67,03,168
Men: 81,65,894
Women: 85,36,770
Others: 504

Reservation for ZPP chairperson posts
Reservation categories for the 31 Zilla Parishad chairperson posts have been announced:

BC: 13 seats
SC: 6 seats
ST: 4 seats
General: 8 seats

Of these, 50 percent have been set aside for women via drawing of lots. The finalised list, including reservations for all tiers (ward, Panchayat, MPTC, ZPTC, MPP, ZPP chairpersons), was released Saturday night.

Women candidates may contest not only in seats reserved for them but also in their designated category posts (SC, ST, BC, General) or any other category as per the official notification.

(Edited by Majnu Babu).