Published on: July 26, 2025
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
A significant change is set to take place in the upcoming *local body elections in Andhra Pradesh. The State Election Commission (SEC) is planning to implement a *“One Candidate, One Position” rule, putting an end to the long-standing practice where a single candidate could contest for multiple posts like ZPTC (Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency) and MPTC (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency) at the same time.
Sources confirm that this new guideline will be strictly enforced in the upcoming polls to ensure transparency and eliminate conflicting interests. Voters will now see more focused campaigns from individual candidates contesting for specific roles only.
Voter-Friendly Reforms Underway
In a first, all eligible family members in a household will now be allotted *the same polling booth. Earlier, due to mandal-based divisions, even family members living under the same roof were often assigned to different booths. The new approach, based on *village-level unit division, will streamline voting and improve voter turnout.
Additionally, the color-coded ballot papers will be used for better clarity:
- Pink Ballot Paper for MPTC elections
- White Ballot Paper for ZPTC elections
NOTA Now in Local Elections Too
For the first time, NOTA (None of the Above) will be available in local body elections. Until now, it was only a feature in Assembly and Lok Sabha polls since 2004. SEC has issued clear directions to district officials to include NOTA in ballot designs for all upcoming elections.
Preparations in Full Swing
Authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure smooth conduct of elections. The voter list is being updated based on the data from the last Lok Sabha elections, removing names of deceased voters and adding new ones. Ward-wise supplementary lists are being prepared to accommodate new voters and any requested changes.
Instructions have already been issued by the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department to review ballot boxes, seals, and old materials. Officials are preparing new ballot boxes and forms for every polling station.
Each polling station will have:
- 1 Presiding Officer
- 4 Additional Polling Officers
District Collectors Get Direct Orders
The SEC has directed all District Collectors to prepare detailed district-level plans for the elections. They must submit data related to ballot boxes, manpower, logistics, and materials in a pre-defined format. This ensures uniformity and readiness across districts.