Andhra Pradesh Local Body Elections: 28 IAS Officers Named General Observers, 28 IFS Officers to Monitor Expenditure
Amaravati, October 16, 2026: The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) has appointed 28 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers as General Observers and 28 Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers as Expenditure Observers for the upcoming local body elections across the state. The deployment is aimed at strengthening election supervision, ensuring transparency and accountability, and enforcing electoral rules throughout the process.
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha briefed the appointed General Observers during a meeting held on October 15, 2026. He directed the officers to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, peaceful and impartial manner, with strict compliance with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and other applicable election guidelines.
The SEC has also assigned the IFS officers to different districts to monitor election-related expenditure. Together, the two groups account for 56 officers in observer roles, covering election supervision and financial oversight.
Model Code of Conduct in Force, SEC Directs Strict Monitoring
Addressing the General Observers, State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said that the Model Code of Conduct had come into force following the announcement of the election schedule. He instructed the officers to ensure that election rules and guidelines are followed by government officials, political parties and candidates without exception.
The observers have been asked to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process and identify potential violations, procedural irregularities and attempts to influence voters. They are also expected to ensure that complaints and instances of non-compliance receive appropriate attention and that necessary action is taken wherever required.
Punetha emphasised that the election machinery must function impartially, providing equal opportunities to all contestants. The observers have been directed to guide election officials at different administrative levels and ensure that prescribed procedures are implemented effectively.
Their responsibilities include monitoring the functioning of the election machinery and identifying issues that could affect the fairness or transparency of polling. The SEC’s directions place particular emphasis on preventing violations of the Model Code of Conduct and maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
28 IAS Officers Appointed as General Observers
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has appointed 28 IAS officers as General Observers to supervise different aspects of the local body elections. The officers will monitor election arrangements and help ensure compliance with the rules governing the electoral process.
The source report identifies the following 23 officers by name:
1. S Nagalakshmi
2. M Seshagiribabu
3. KVN Chakradhar Babu
4. K Kannababu
5. MM Nayak
6. Ch Sridhar
7. Manjeer Jilani
8. Hebsiba Rani
9. Ranjit Basha
10. Sivasankar Lotheti
11. Shanmohan
12. M Gouthami
13. P Arun Babu
14. P Prasanthi
15. Lavanya Veni
16. Bhargavi
17. JV Murali
18. TS Chetan
19. Kurmanath
20. R Gopalakrishna
21. Praveen Aditya
22. Tej Bharath
23. Geethanjali Sharma
Although the SEC has reportedly appointed 28 IAS officers, the source material provides only 23 names. The identities of the remaining five officers have not been specified in the available report, and their names cannot be confirmed from the information provided.
The General Observers will oversee election-related arrangements in their assigned areas and monitor whether the election machinery is operating according to established procedures. Their role also includes identifying potential problems and helping ensure that officials respond appropriately to violations or irregularities.
28 IFS Officers Assigned to Monitor Election Expenditure
Alongside the IAS officers, the SEC has appointed 28 Indian Forest Service officers as Expenditure Observers. These officers have been assigned to different districts to monitor election-related spending and support compliance with the applicable financial rules.
Their deployment is intended to strengthen oversight of expenditure during the campaign and election process. Monitoring election spending is an important part of maintaining transparency and identifying possible financial irregularities that could undermine a level playing field among candidates.
The IFS officers will perform their assigned expenditure-monitoring responsibilities in their respective districts. However, the source report does not provide their names, district-wise allocations or individual assignments.
With 28 IAS officers designated as General Observers and 28 IFS officers appointed as Expenditure Observers, the SEC has put a total of 56 officers into these two categories of election oversight. The arrangements are intended to strengthen supervision of both the broader electoral process and election-related financial activity.
SEC Highlights Poll Management App
During his briefing, Punetha highlighted the importance of the Poll Management App developed by the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission. The digital application is intended to help officials access important election-related information and coordinate different aspects of polling arrangements.
According to the source report, the app provides information concerning voter management, polling stations and election procedures. Its use is expected to support information-sharing among officials and help them monitor arrangements more efficiently.
Punetha urged the General Observers to make effective use of the application while carrying out their responsibilities. Access to relevant information through a common digital platform can support coordination between officials and help them address operational issues during the election process.
The SEC’s emphasis on the application forms part of its stated efforts to improve election administration through digital tools and timely information-sharing. The report does not specify additional features, technical details or separate implementation measures for the application.
General Observers Asked to Coordinate With District Police
Security arrangements were another key issue addressed by the State Election Commissioner during the meeting. Punetha instructed the General Observers to coordinate closely with district police authorities to ensure adequate security during the local body elections.
He stressed the importance of appropriate security deployment and effective coordination between civil administration and police officials. The observers have been asked to ensure that necessary preventive measures are taken to minimise the risk of disturbances and other untoward incidents.
Punetha also underlined the need to protect voters from intimidation, pressure or inducement. He directed the officers to help ensure that every voter can exercise their democratic right freely and without fear.
The instructions make voter protection a central part of the observers’ responsibilities. Alongside monitoring election rules and administrative procedures, they are expected to pay attention to conditions that could prevent voters from participating freely in the electoral process.
SEC Focuses on Transparency, Fairness and Security
The appointment of the 56 observers reflects the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission’s arrangements for supervising the upcoming local body elections. The IAS officers will serve as General Observers, while the IFS officers will monitor election-related expenditure in their assigned districts.
During the October 15 briefing, Punetha called for strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, impartial election management, effective use of the Poll Management App and coordination with district police authorities. He also stressed that voters must be able to cast their ballots without intimidation or inducement.
The source report does not provide the complete list of all 28 IAS officers or the names and district-wise assignments of the 28 IFS officers. Those details remain unspecified in the available information.
