Local elections, explained

They elect the two upper tiers of rural local government. Each mandal is divided into Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs); voters there elect an MPTC member to the mandal parishad. Each mandal also forms one Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC), which elects a member to the district's zilla parishad. Rural voters therefore cast two votes: one for MPTC and one for ZPTC.

The elected MPTC members choose the Mandal Parishad President (MPP). The elected ZPTC members choose the Zilla Parishad chairperson. These are separate, later elections among the members.

Towns and cities are governed by municipal corporations, municipalities and nagar panchayats. Each is divided into wards (called divisions in some corporations), and every ward elects one member: a corporator or councillor. The mayor or chairperson is a separate office chosen under the State Election Commission's rules after the ward results.

Gram panchayat elections choose village sarpanches and ward members. In Andhra Pradesh they are held separately, in phases, on their own schedule.

Your name must be on the electoral roll for your ward or territorial constituency. Check the roll through the State Election Commission or ask your local returning officer before polling day.

Carry your voter photo identity card (EPIC). If you do not have it, the State Election Commission notifies which other photo identity documents are accepted. Check the notice for your poll.

It means the name comes from a compiled list or a news report, not yet matched against the official final list. Withdrawals and official publication can change the field. Seats with no records may still have candidates.

As soon as declarations are loaded. Seat tiles change colour, the party tally updates and each seat page shows the winner. Pages refresh their figures on their own during counting.