Visakhapatnam ZP faces major bifurcation challenges as local body polls near

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With the five-year tenure of the current rural local body Zilla Parishad (ZP) due to conclude on September 24, the administrative machinery in Visakhapatnam is undertaking an extensive logistical and structural exercise to prepare for the upcoming Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) elections.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also recently held a meeting related to the local body elections.

The primary challenge defining this electoral cycle is the administrative bifurcation of erstwhile rural jurisdictions to fit the State’s newly reconfigured district boundaries.

The Visakhapatnam Zilla Praja Parishad has been functioning since November 1, 1959, after the three-tier Panchayat Raj system was implemented based on the recommendations of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee.

The coming election process requires a thorough division of assets, staff, and geographical zones that previously fell under the unified rural administrative setups. Under the State directives, staff and institutional frameworks of the erstwhile unified Zilla Parishad based in Visakhapatnam city are being systematically divided across Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) districts in accordance with Presidential orders.

Speaking to The Hindu , Visakhapatnam ZP CEO P. Narayana Murthy said, “We have begun pre-preparatory works for the elections. The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission also held a meeting with the Collectors on these issues. If the Visakhapatnam Zilla Parishad bifurcates then Visakhapatnam will have four mandals, ASR 11 mandals and Anakapalli 24 mandals. Each district will have their own Zilla Parishads.”

District authorities are racing against time to complete core tasks including updating voter lists, enforcing reservation mandates—such as the 34% quota for Backward Classes (BCs) alongside provisions for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)—and conducting audits of polling station infrastructure.

Furthermore, preparations are underway to appoint Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Deputy CEOs for the newly formed district parishads to ensure smooth transitions before poll notifications are officially issued.

“Currently around 77 CEO rank officials are available across different departments on deputation in the region. So filling the CEO post for Zilla Parishad is not a big issue,” said a senior CEO-rank official at Anakapalli district.

The reorganisation of the ZPTC framework marks a fundamental shift toward hyper-local governance in the Visakhapatnam region. By replacing older, sprawling administrative units with compact, newly mapped district parishads, the government aims to streamline rural development.

As logistics are streamlined—including ballot paper distribution and polling centre readiness—political parties are intensifying grassroots mobilisations. ZPTC and MPTC elected representatives play a critical indirect role in electing higher-tier leadership such as ZP chairpersons.