Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission
| ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ రాష్ట్ర ఎన్నికల సంఘం | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 1994 |
| Jurisdiction | Andhra Pradesh |
| Headquarters | 3rd Floor, Buddha Bhavan, M.G. Road Secunderabad |
| Employees | 74 |
| Agency executives |
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| Website |
www |
Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission is a Constitutional authority of Andhra Pradesh, India. It was formed under the Articles 243-K and 243-ZA of Constitution of India. It conducts the Rural and Urban Local Body Elections in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
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.
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. Currently, the post of State Election Commissioner is vacant after the retirement of Sri P. Ramakanth Reddy, IAS (Retd) on 31.12.2014. The State Election Commissioner is assisted by a Secretary, who is a cadre officer (IAS), a Legal Advisor (District Judge rank) and two Joint Secretaries. The other senior officials include two Joint Directors for Panchayat Raj and Municipal.
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.
Electoral rolls are as per the electoral rolls of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly constituency. Polling stations are then identified based on the rolls. Following the notification for elections, similar norms followed as for the assembly elections.
Direct elections
Elections to the following posts are held by this Commission by Direct election.
- Rural Local Bodies :
- Members of the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC)
- Members of the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC)
- Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat
- Ward Member of Gram Panchayat
- Urban Local Bodies :
The Urban Local Bodies consist of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats.
- Corporators / Ward Members of Municipal Corporation
- 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.
- Rural Local Bodies :
- Upa-Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat.
- President and Vice-President of Mandal Praja Parishad.
- Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Zilla Praja Parishad.
- Urban Local Bodies :
- Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporation
- Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Municipalities / Nagar Panchayats.