The schedule for local body elections in Telangana has been released. Polling for MPTC, ZPTC, and Sarpanch positions will be conducted in two phases. The ongoing “three-child” rule continues to impact many aspiring candidates, potentially disqualifying several hopefuls. However, in certain special circumstances, exemptions from the rule are allowed.

According to the schedule announced by the State Election Commission, MPTC and ZPTC elections will be held in two phases, while Sarpanch elections will take place in three phases. Notifications will be issued on October 9, and the entire election process is expected to conclude by November 11. As per the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act-2018, candidates with more than two children are generally ineligible, causing concern among many aspirants.

However, there are specific exemptions to this strict rule:

• Those who had three or more children before May 31, 1995, are eligible to contest. Candidates having a third child after this date are ineligible.
• If a candidate had one child before May 31, 1995, and subsequent twins were born afterward (total three children), they remain eligible. Conversely, if twins were born before this date and a single child afterward, they are disqualified.
• Candidates who had twins in the second pregnancy after June 1, 1995, or three children in a single pregnancy are still eligible.
• If one of the three children passes away before nomination scrutiny, only the surviving children are counted for eligibility.
• If a female candidate has two living children and is pregnant at the time of nomination scrutiny, she is eligible to contest; only the living children are considered.

These exemptions provide relief to some candidates, but many aspirants remain restricted from participating in local politics due to the three-child rule.