Government Amends GHMC Act to Expedite Poll Process

HYDERABAD: In order to complete the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) poll process within the deadline of January 31, set by the High Court, the State government has reduced the period of conducting polls to 15 days from 21 to 28 days as planned previously.

The Municipal Administration and Urban Development department on Monday issued orders for completing the polling process in 15 days instead of 21 days. Accordingly, a notification will be published in an extraordinary issue of Telangana Gazette on January 5.

The amendments made to Section 33 of GHMC Act:

Clause (a): Filing of nominations will be over in three days immediately following the date of publication of notification whether or not the said days are public holidays.

Caluse (b): The date for scrutiny of nominations will be the day following the last date of filing nominations.

Clause (c): The date for withdrawal of nominations will be the immediate following day of scrutiny of nominations.

Clause (d): The polling day, shall not be earlier than the ninth day from the last date of withdrawal of candidatures.