The Telangana government has sanctioned ₹325 crore for local body elections, with strict instructions to enforce the Model Code of Conduct. Tahsildars named nodal officers for daily monitoring.

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has sanctioned ₹325 crore to facilitate the smooth conduct of local body elections, a move seen as both an administrative necessity and a political test of accountability. According to officials, ₹150 crore will be set aside for ZPTC and MPTC polls, while another ₹175 crore will go toward sarpanch and ward member elections in gram panchayats.

The State Election Commission (SEC) has issued firm directions to district collectors, asking them to appoint tahsildars as nodal officers to oversee enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). These officers will be required to track violations daily and report directly to senior district authorities, including additional collectors.

The SEC has also cautioned that any lapse in vigilance will attract disciplinary action, signaling that election irregularities will not be tolerated. While the release of funds addresses the logistical side — from election material to transport and staff training — the real challenge lies in ensuring impartiality on the ground.

Local political analysts note that strict MCC enforcement will be crucial in maintaining voter trust. In past elections, weak monitoring at the mandal level often led to complaints of misuse of resources. For voters, how effectively tahsildars act as watchdogs could determine whether this election process is seen as fair and credible.