Nominations begin for first phase gram panchayat polls in Khammam, Kothagudem

The nomination process for the first phase of gram panchayat elections commenced in Khammam and Kothagudem districts on Thursday. A total of 192 gram panchayats and 1,740 wards in Khammam, and 159 gram panchayats with 1,436 wards in Kothagudem, have been notified.

Khammam: The process of receiving nominations for the first phase gram panchayat elections started on Thursday in Khammam and Kothagudem districts.

In Khammam, as many as 192 gram panchayats and 1740 wards have been notified for the first phase polls. 99 nominations were filed by sarpanch candidates while 49 nominations were filed by candidates contesting as ward members.

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In Kothagudem, 159 gram panchayats and 1436 wards have been notified for the first phase polls. 82 nominations were filed by sarpanch candidates while 87 nominations were filed by candidates contesting as ward members.

Khammam district Collector Anudeep Durishetty inspected the nomination reception centre at the Raghunadhapalem gram panchayat office. Nominations will be received from Thursday to Saturday at the centres allotted for the first phase elections in seven mandals in the district.

He said that all arrangements have been made to conduct the election process peacefully and around 8,000 officers, staff and police personnel have been assigned election duties in the district.

Kothagudem SP, B Rohith Raju informed that 22 flying squad teams, six static surveillance teams, six inter-state border check posts and four inter-district check posts have been set up across the district in coordination with officials of other departments to ensure that GP elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere in the district.