The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission, led by Anil Chandra Punetha, dropped the schedule on Wednesday, locking in a three-phase voting calendar that runs from October 28 to December 2. Urban polls kick off first, with counting on October 30.
The rural timeline is more staggered. Mandal and Zilla Parishad elections follow on November 3, with results declared November 5. Gram Panchayat voting happens in three distinct phases: November 26, November 29, and finally December 2.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is treating this as a legal and organizational test. He has directed his party machinery to identify strong candidates and prepare for court battles if the government delays caste certificates or uses police to pressure aspirants. His State Coordinator, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, emphasized booth management and digital outreach, focusing on farmer grievances and welfare delivery.
On the other side, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is pushing his TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance to strike out internal discord. He promised 40% of tickets to Backward Class candidates, a move aimed at securing grassroots support and validating the coalition's 2024 Assembly win. For Naidu, this is a popularity test. For Jagan, it’s a morale booster before his planned 2026 padyatra.
The results will serve as the first major barometer of power ahead of the 2029 Assembly elections, with both sides now mobilizing at the village level.