By: Staff Reporter, YaHind.Com
Hyderabad, November 26, 2025 – The Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) has finally sounded the poll bugle for the much-delayed Gram Panchayat elections, scheduling them in three phases on December 11, 14, and 17. This announcement comes after months of legal hurdles over reservation quotas for Backward Classes (BCs), ensuring that over 1.66 crore voters can decide the fate of local governance in rural Telangana.
State Election Commissioner I. Rani Kumudini unveiled the detailed schedule on Tuesday, marking a significant step toward empowering 12,728 Gram Panchayats and 1,12,242 wards across 564 mandals. The elections, originally slated for October-November, were postponed following a Telangana High Court stay on Government Order (GO) No. 9, which aimed to provide 42% reservation for BCs in local bodies. With the court intervention, the state has reverted to the previous reservation matrix, allocating only about 17% seats to BCs—a move that has sparked protests from opposition parties and community leaders.
Phase 1 on December 11 covers 4,200 Sarpanch posts and 37,440 wards, with notification issuance beginning on November 27 (10:30 AM to 5:00 PM), ward-wise electoral rolls displayed on November 29, nominations closing on December 5, scrutiny on December 6, and withdrawals by December 9. Details for Phase 2 on December 14 and Phase 3 on December 17 follow a similar timeline, adjusted accordingly, with results declared immediately after counting on the final polling day.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect statewide, prohibiting any new development works or transfers without SEC approval. Over one lakh polling stations will be set up to facilitate smooth voting, and the NOTA (None of the Above) option will be available on ballots.
The elephant in the room remains the BC reservation issue. The Revanth Reddy-led Congress government had promised 42% quota post-caste census, but the High Court’s stay forced a rollback to the 2019 levels (18-22%). Critics, including the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), allege the current allocation hovers at 16-20%, accusing the ruling party of shortchanging marginalized communities. Despite this, the Congress has vowed to implement enhanced reservations through party tickets, positioning the polls as a “proxy battle” for social justice.
Elections will not be held in select areas due to ongoing court cases: 25 Gram Panchayats in Mangapet mandal (Mulugu district), two in V. Saidapur mandal (Karimnagar), and five in Enkoor and Penuballi mandals (Khammam). Notably, urban districts like Hyderabad and Medchal Malkajgiri are excluded from these rural polls.
With 60% of Telangana’s population residing in villages, these elections are crucial for channeling central funds—estimated at Rs 3,000 crore—into grassroots development. Expect hot-button issues like digital governance, eco-friendly projects, and health initiatives to dominate campaigns in districts such as Nalgonda, Medak, and Nirmal.
Political observers predict a high-stakes triangular contest between Congress, BRS, and BJP, with Sarpanch races serving as litmus tests for the 2028 Assembly polls. As rural Telangana gears up, the focus remains on ensuring free and fair elections amid logistical challenges in the state’s diverse terrain.
YaHind.Com will bring live updates, candidate profiles, and voter guides as the campaign heats up. Stay tuned for more.
About The Author
