First Phase of Telangana Gram Panchayat Elections-2025 Begins Today
Table of Contents
Source: THE HINDU
Relevance:
TGPSC Paper–III: Indian Society, Constitution & Governance
Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC), Article 243K & 243ZA, EPIC & ERONET, Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Unanimous Elections
For Mains:
- Grassroots Democracy, Electoral Transparency, Women’s Political Participation, Administrative Accountability, Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
Why in News?
The first phase of the second ordinary Telangana Gram Panchayat Elections-2025 is being held today, December 11, across the State. Polling is scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with counting of votes beginning at 2:00 p.m. This phase marks an important step in strengthening grassroots democracy, as lakhs of rural voters participate in selecting local leadership for the next five years.
Overview of the First Phase of Elections
According to the Telangana State Election Commission (TGSEC), over 5.61 lakh voters will decide the outcome for:
- 12,960 candidates contesting for 3,834 Sarpanch posts
- 65,455 candidates contesting across 27,628 ward seats
Initially, 4,236 Gram Panchayats (GPs) and 37,440 wards were notified for polling in this phase. However, due to unanimous elections, polling will now be conducted in:
- 3,836 GPs
- 27,960 wards
| Category | Number |
| Total Voters | 56,19,430 |
| Male Voters | 27,41,070 |
| Female Voters | 28,78,159 |
A noteworthy trend is that female voters outnumber male voters, reflecting rising participation of women in local governance—a significant development for rural political empowerment in Telangana.
Unanimous Elections and Reduction in Contested Seats
A total of:
- 395 Sarpanches
- 9,331 ward members
have been unanimously elected in the first phase. The Commission has taken written declarations from unanimously elected candidates as part of its intensified efforts to curb the auctioning of posts, which has been a recurring concern in Panchayat elections.
Logistics and Administrative Preparedness
State Election Commissioner I. Rani Kumudini announced that:
- 45,086 ballot boxes
- 37,562 polling stations
have been arranged for smooth conduct of polls. Reinforcing the importance of electoral participation, the Commission has urged all eligible citizens to exercise their franchise responsibly.
Senior officials, including Additional DGP Mahesh M. Bhagwat, reviewed law and order arrangements. District administrations have been instructed to maintain strict vigilance at distribution centres, polling stations and sensitive locations.
| Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC)
Constitutional Basis
Appointment
Powers & Functions
Difference Between ECI and TSEC
|
Approved Photo Identity Cards for Voters
In the absence of an EPIC, voters may use any of 18 approved identity documents, including Aadhaar, Driving Licence, Passport, PAN Card, Ration Card with photo, MNREGA job card, Pension documents with photo, SC/ST/BC certificates with photo, and others.
However, the voter’s name must appear in the marked electoral roll.
Electoral Photo Identity Card
What is EPIC?
- The Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number is a 10-digit alphanumeric unique voter identification number issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- Introduced in 1993 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 to curb voter impersonation and electoral fraud.
How is it Issued?
- Generated and managed through ERONET (Electoral Roll Management System).
- ERONET is a centralized, web-based platform used by election officials for:
- Voter registration
- Correction of entries
- Migration and deletion
- Standardizing electoral rolls across states
- Supports multiple languages and scripts, ensuring uniform roll management.
Why is EPIC Important?
- Acts as a unique identifier linking a voter to:
- Their photograph
- Constituency
- Polling station
- Helps prevent duplication, impersonation, and fraudulent voting.
- Errors or mismatches in EPIC data can result in voter disenfranchisement or manipulation.
Model Code of Conduct Enforcement: FIRs & Seizures
Since the MCC came into effect on November 25, 2025:
- 3,214 FIRs have been registered
- Seizures worth ₹7.54 crore have been made
- ₹1.7 crore in cash
- ₹2.84 crore worth of liquor
- ₹2.22 crore worth narcotics
These actions indicate a heightened enforcement effort to curb electoral malpractice, inducements, and unlawful campaigning.
District-level Reviews and Staff Accountability
District Collectors, acting as District Election Authorities, inspected polling material distribution centres.
- Sangareddy Collector P. Pravinya instructed staff to strictly follow checklists.
- Vikarabad Collector Prateek Jain suspended 14 Presiding Officers for failing to report for poll duty.
These measures underline the Commission’s emphasis on accountability and discipline during the election process.
Phase-wise Election Schedule for 2025
| Phase | Date | GPs Notified | Wards Notified |
| Phase 1 | December 11 | 4,236 | 37,440 |
| Phase 2 | December 14 | 4,333 | 38,350 |
| Phase 3 | December 17 | 4,159 | 36,452 |
| Total | — | 12,728 | 1,12,242 |
Unanimous Elections Trend
- 1,204 Sarpanches were unanimously elected in the Telangana Gram Panchayat Elections-2025.
- This number is significantly lower than the 2,134 unanimous Sarpanch elections in 2019, indicating reduced consensus or increased electoral competition.
- For the 2025 elections, 12,728 Gram Panchayats were notified for polling.
- After accounting for unanimous selections, 11,499 Gram Panchayats will go to polls.
- 21 Gram Panchayats will not face elections due to no nominations or invalid nominations.
- Out of 1,12,242 notified wards, 25,551 Ward Members were unanimously elected.
- 368 wards received no valid nominations.
- Elections will be held in 86,269 wards across the State.
- The Election Commission collected written declarations from all unanimously elected candidates as part of a multi-layered mechanism to curb post-auctioning and ensure transparency.
Conclusion
The first phase of the Telangana Gram Panchayat Elections-2025 marks a crucial milestone in deepening democratic processes at the village level. With enhanced administrative arrangements, strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, and significant voter participation—particularly by women—the election reflects a maturing grassroots governance framework.
As the State moves toward the second and third phases on December 14 and 17, the focus remains on ensuring a transparent, peaceful, and participatory electoral exercise that upholds the integrity of local self-governance.
CARE MCQ
Q. Under which Constitutional Articles is the Telangana State Election Commission empowered to conduct elections?
(a) Articles 324 and 325
(b) Articles 243K and 243ZA
(c) Articles 280 and 282
(d) Articles 243C and 243M
Correct Answer: (b) Articles 243K and 243ZA
