Legislators in Telangana will vote twice on January 29 to elect two Council members under the MLA quota. The Election Commission has issued a notification stating that separate sets of ballot papers will be prepared for the two by-elections. The ballot papers will be different colors, preferably white and pink. The commission also suggested that separate polling stations be set up, with notices displayed outside each station indicating which seat is being filled.
The Election Commission has instructed that separate ballot boxes be used for the by-elections, and separate sets of electoral rolls be used for each polling station. Each station will be manned by a different set of officers, and counting of ballot papers will also be done separately.
The rules for contesting candidates have also been changed. Each candidate must clearly state on their nomination paper which election they intend to contest. The commission has designated ‘committee hall no. 1 in the Assembly buildings’ as the polling place for the by-elections, and wooden ballot boxes will be used.
