ABOUT AP STATE ELECTION COMMISSION

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments empowered the Panchayat Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies as the institutions of Local Self-Governments. Pursuant to this, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh constituted the State Election Commission on 17.06.1994.

The powers and functions of the State Election Commission under Article 243K & 243ZA of the Constitution of India are similar to those vested in the Election Commission of India constituted under Article 324 in their respective domains. The ECI is vested with the responsibility of the superintendence, direction and control of preparation of Electoral Rolls for, and conduct of all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State and of elections to the Offices of President and Vice-President only, whereas the SEC is vested with the similar powers and functions for preparation of Electoral Rolls and conduct of all elections to the Rural and Urban Local Governments in the State held under the Constitution and relevant Acts and Rules issued from time to time by the Governments . The Rural Local Governments are Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads only. The Urban Local Governments are Nagar Panchayats, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations only. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the State.

The State Election Commission of the combined State of Andhra Pradesh conducted four ordinary elections to Rural and Urban Local Governments from 1995 onwards. After bifurcation of the State, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh constituted the State Election Commission for the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh on 30.01.2016. The 1st Ordinary Elections to Rural and Urban Local Governments in the State of Andhra Pradesh were conducted in the year 2021.