Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission

History

The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission was formed in June 1994. The 1st Local body elections to Municipalities and Panchayat Raj Institutions were held in March 1995. The 2nd and 3rd Local Body elections were held in 2000-2001 and 2005-2006 respectively. The 4th ordinary elections to Gram Panchayats were held in July 2013. The 4th ordinary elections to Municipalities were held in March 2014 and to those of MPTCs and ZPTCs in April 2014.

Consequent on the bifurcation of the State, the Government of Andhra Pradesh constituted a State Election Commission for the State of Andhra Pradesh on 30.01.2016.

Organization

The State Election commission is headed by a State Election Commissioner appointed by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh. The State Election Commissioner holds his term of five years from the date of assumption of office. Officers holding the post of Principle Secretary to Government and above are appointed to this post. Dr. N. Ramesh Kumar, IAS (Retd) has assumed office of the State Election Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh on 01.04.2016 and he is currently holding the said post. The Government conferred the status of a Judge of High Court on the State Election Commissioner. The State Election Commissioner is assisted by a Secretary, who is a cadre officer (IAS), a Legal Advisor (District Judge rank) and one Joint Secretary. At present, the post of Secretary is vacant and Sri A.V. Satya Ramesh, Joint Secretary is holding full additional charge of the post of Secretary, A.P. State Election Commission w.e.f. 06.01.2015. The other senior official is Joint Director.

Functions

Elections to the Rural and Urban bodies of Andhra Pradesh are held by both direct and indirect elections. The sole controlling authority rests on the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission.

The A.P. State Election Commission adopts the Assembly Electoral Rolls prepared under the supervision of the Chief Electoral Officer, General Administration (Elections) Department (who is the representative of the Election Commission of India in the State) for preparation of ward-wise electoral rolls for conduct of elections to Rural and Urban Local Bodies in the State. Polling stations are identified based on the rolls. Once the pre-election exercises such as delimitation and reservation of seats and offices in local bodies are completed and communicated by the State Government, the State Election Commission issues Notification for conduct of elections.

Direct elections

Elections to the following posts are held by this Commission by Direct election.

1. Members of the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC)
2. Members of the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC)
3. Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat
4. Ward Member of Gram Panchayat

The Urban Local Bodies consist of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats.

1. Corporators / Ward Members of Municipal Corporation
2. Councillors / Ward Members of Municipality / Nagar Panchayat

Indirect elections

Indirect elections are held for the following positions: After taking oath by the directly elected Members, indirect elections are held as per the date and time appointed by the Commission in the respective local bodies.

1. Upa-Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat.
2. President and Vice-President of Mandal Praja Parishad.
3. Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Zilla Praja Parishad.

1. Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporation
2. Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Municipalities / Nagar Panchayats.