GVMC Ward Expansion Creates Uncertainty Ahead of Local Elections

The recent decision by the state government to increase the number of wards in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has unsettled former corporators and aspirants preparing for the upcoming local body elections.

Earlier, with the Chief Minister announcing that elections would be held within six months, former corporators had intensified their presence in their wards to maintain influence. Aspirants who had lost in previous polls were also actively engaging with the public to secure support.

However, the government’s order to increase the number of GVMC wards from 98 to 120 has altered the political landscape. The move, prompted by the city’s population exceeding 15 lakh, will require a complete redrawing of existing ward boundaries. The final allocation of areas to new wards and the reservation of seats will only be determined after the reorganisation process.

GVMC last went to the polls in 2021 following the merger of Bheemili and Anakapalli municipalities, when the number of wards increased from 72 to 98. The five-year term of these corporators ended on the 17th of this month.

In the current scenario, many former corporators and aspirants are reassessing their strategies. Several believe that continuing activities and spending in existing wards may no longer be effective. Instead, they plan to wait until the reorganisation and reservation process is complete before selecting wards favourable to their prospects and resuming political outreach.