Andhra Pradesh order enforces 33.33% BC reservation in urban body elections
The Andhra Pradesh government has issued an official order to implement a 33.33% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in ordinary elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), including Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats. The move fulfils a key promise made by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in its 2024 general election manifesto.
Principal Secretary to Government S. Suresh Kumar released G.O. Rt. No. 1065 on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, according to the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department. The order directs the completion of preparatory work within a time-bound framework so that the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission can proceed with the election process in accordance with law.
The elections are scheduled for 100 of the state's 123 ULBs. The remaining 23 have been excluded because of pending court cases or other legal issues. The decision follows a report submitted by the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, which identified ULBs whose elected councils have already completed their terms, as well as those whose terms are due to expire within the next three months.
The G.O. refers to Article 243-U of the Constitution, which provides for a five-year term for municipal bodies, and Articles 243-K and 243-ZA, which vest the State Election Commission with control over electoral rolls and the conduct of local body elections. The order also highlights the 16th Finance Commission’s operational guidelines, which require a duly constituted urban local body for eligibility for Finance Commission grants. Timely elections are therefore seen as essential not only for democratic governance but also for securing central grants meant for ULBs.
Under the order, the government has mandated the implementation of one-third (33.33%) reservation for Backward Classes under the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporations Act, 1994, and the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1965, for the respective urban local bodies. This quota applies to the total number of wards or seats in each municipal body, subject to the existing legal framework and any court directions.
The MA&UD Department and the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration have been authorised to coordinate with the State Election Commission and other authorities on all pre-election requirements. These include preparing electoral rolls, undertaking ward-related processes, issuing reservation notifications and completing other statutory formalities.
The reservation for BCs in local body elections has been a long-standing demand in Andhra Pradesh. Previous attempts to provide such quotas were challenged in courts, leading to delays in elections. The current government’s decision is expected to address these concerns, though the legal status of the quota will depend on final court orders for the excluded ULBs.
Political observers note that the implementation of the quota could have significant implications for representation and electoral dynamics in the state. The government has maintained that the order is in line with constitutional provisions and the welfare of Backward Classes. It has also assured that all procedures will be completed transparently and within the legal framework.
With the G.O. issued, the State Election Commission is expected to announce the election schedule soon. Civic bodies across Andhra Pradesh have been functioning without elected councils after their terms expired, and residents have been awaiting fresh elected representation. The timely conduct of these elections will restore local governance and enable ULBs to access development funds.
