Senior T-Congress leader and former vice chairman, National Disaster Management Authority Marri Sashidhar Reddy today filed a petition in Hyderabad High Court seeking extension of date of election to GHMC beyond January 31. He challenged the poll reforms on the eve of GHMC elections.

Sticking to the earlier commitment it had given to the Court, Telangana government is planning to complete the election process before January 31.

To facilitate this state government on Monday amended the GHMC Act 1955 to cut down the Election Schedule from the normal minimum 28 days to just 15 days. This means that from the first day of filing of nominations to the day of polling, the process would be completed in a record time of 15 days.

Recalling that the state election commission had earlier informed the Court that it needs 45 days to complete the process, Sashidhar Reddy urged the Court to give ample time for the political parties by extending the deadline of January 31.

Details of the Amendments to GHMC Act.

The government used the powers under Section 101 of the AP Reorganisation Act, which entitles the government to bring any amendment to any Act in vogue. According to special chief secretary (Municipal Administration) M.G. Gopal the amendment, which was brought about to reduce the burden on the candidates, save time and expenditure, was part of election reforms.

1. The process of filing of nomination papers has been brought down from 7 days to 3 days.
2. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place the next day.
3. Withdrawal of nomination papers takes on the next day of the scrutiny of papers
4. Polling falls ninth day. In case of Assembly and Lok Sabha polls a 14-day gap is allowed between the last day of withdrawals and commencement of polling. It has been done away with as part of electoral reform taken up on just before the GHMC polls.