Hyderabad: The Nizamabad local bodies MLC seat, vacated by former BRS leader Kalvakuntla Kavitha, is set to remain vacant for the foreseeable future as rules do not permit a by-election under the current circumstances. The Election Commission stipulates that at least 75% of voters in the local bodies segment must be elected before a bypoll can be conducted. At present, all voting positions — including MPTCs, ZPTCs, municipal councillors and corporators—are vacant in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts. Kavitha, whose term was to run until Jan 2028, submitted her resignation last week. Her letter has reached the legislative council chairman’s office and is expected to be accepted soon. Officials said that across the two districts there are 596 MPTC and ZPTC positions and 215 municipal wards—a total of 811 local body seats. To meet the threshold, 608 positions must be filled. Even if rural body polls are conducted, they would only account for 596 members, falling short of the requirement. Urban local body polls must also be completed before a bypoll can take place. Kavitha had won the seat in Jan 2022, but her resignation now throws open a vacancy that neither the ruling Congress nor the opposition BRS and BJP can contest immediately. Until fresh local body elections are held, the Nizamabad MLC seat will remain unoccupied.
