Vijayawada: The State Election Commission had issued notification for the elections to the mandal parishad in the seven mandals of the Polavaram project area. The government had merged these seven mandals from Telangana with the AP after bifurcation to facilitate the construction of the Polavaram project. These mandals were adjusted with the East Godavari and West Godavari districts for administrative feasibility.

Though they had elections in 2014 in the combined State, fresh elections are required now as they were merged with the AP districts. The EC would hold elections to the two Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) seats of Kukunuru and Veluripadu on April 21. Elections to the 15 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) in these seven mandals would also be held simultaneously.

The returning officers would receive nominations from April 5 and conduct polling on April 21. The administrations of East and West Godavari districts were directed to make arrangements for the elections.

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission had also issued notification for the by-elections to the two MPTC seats, Peravali in West Godavari district and Srikakulam in the Srikakulam district.