Introduction
The Andhra Pradesh Gram Panchayat Elections 2026 are an important democratic process through which villages elect their local representatives. Several Government employees and teachers are appointed to perform election duties to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner.
One of the important responsibilities in this process is assigned to the Stage 1 Returning Officer (RO-1).
The Stage 1 Returning Officer is responsible for meaning the initial stages of the election process, beginning with the issue of the election notice and ending with the publication of the final list of contesting candidates and allotment of election symbols.
This article explains the major duties and responsibilities of Stage 1 RO for Gram Panchayat Elections 2026.
1. Who is a Stage 1 Returning Officer?
A Returning Officer (RO) is an authorised election official appointed to conduct and supervise the election process according to the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, applicable election rules and State Election Commission instructions.
The Gram Panchayat election process is divided into two stages.
| STAGE | Main responsibilities |
| Stage 1 RO | Election notice, nominations, scrutiny, withdrawals, symbols and final candidate list |
| Stage 2 RO | Subsequent election arrangements, polling, counting, declaration of results and related proceedings. |
Important: Stage 1 RO duties end with the completion of the prescribed candidate-finalisation process. The subsequent activities are handled according to the Stage 2 assignment and election instructions.
2. Important Duties of Stage 1 RO
1. Preparation before issuing the election notice
The Returning Officer should:
- Attend the official election training programme.
- Study the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2006.
- Verify the election notification and election schedule issued by the State Election Commission.
- Check the electoral rolls of the allotted Gram Panchayats and wards.
- Verify the reservation details of Sarpanch and Ward Members posts.
- Identify the nomination receiving centres.
- Arrange the required registers, forms, notices and election stationery.
- Coordinate with Assistant Returning Officers and other election staff.
2. Issue of Election Notice
One of the primary responsibilities of the Stage 1 RO is issuing the election notice.
As per Rule 6 of the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Conduct of Elections) Rules 2006, the Returning Officer shall issue the election notice in Form – I for Gram Panchayat Elections.
The notice should contain the prescribed election programme details, including:
- Last date of filling nominations.
- Date of scrutiny of nominations.
- Last date for withdrawal of candidature.
- Date and time of polling, wherever necessary.
- Date, place and time of counting as notified.
The notice must be published in the prescribed manner.
3. Receiving Nomination Papers
Receiving nomination papers is one of the most important duties of Stage 1 RO
The RO should:
- Receive nomination papers from candidates or their proposers as permitted under the rules.
- Verify the nomination papers and required particulars.
- Check the candidate’s name in the relevant electoral roll.
- Verify the proposer’s eligibility.
- Check the candidate’s declaration and supporting documents.
- Verify the prescribed election deposit.
- Assign a serial number to each nomination paper.
- Issue the prescribed acknowledgment/receipt.
- Maintain proper records of all nominations received.
Important: Nomination papers must be received within the dates and timings prescribed in the election notification.
4. Publication of List of Nominations Received
After the nomination receiving period ends, the Returning Officer must prepare and publish the list of nominations received.
As per Rule 11, the list should be prepared in Form-V.
The RO must:
- Prepare the list of all nominations received.
- Verify the details entered in the list.
- Publish the list in Telugu.
- Display the scrutiny date, time and place.
- Keep the relevant election records safely.
5. Scrutiny of Nomination Papers
Scrutiny is a crucial responsibility of the Returning Officer.
The RO must carefully examine every nomination paper according to the applicable election rules.
The following points should be verified:
- Whether the candidate’s name is included in the relevant electoral roll.
- Whether the proposer is an eligible voter.
- Whether the candidate satisfies the prescribed qualifications.
- Whether the candidate belongs to the required reserved category, wherever applicable.
- Whether the candidate and proposer have signed the nomination paper.
- Whether the prescribed deposit has been paid.
- Whether the required declarations and documents have been submitted.
The RO should also consider objections raised during scrutiny.
If a nomination is rejected, the RO must record the reasons in writing.
After scrutiny, the list of validly nominated candidates must be prepared in Form – VI and displayed on the notice board.
6. Handling Appeals Against Rejection
If a candidate’s nomination is rejected, the candidate has the right to appeal before the prescribed appellate authority.
For Gram Panchayat Elections, appeals against rejection of nominations are made before the concerned Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO).
The Stage 1 RO should:
- Maintain the relevant nomination records.
- Provide the necessary election documents as required.
- Follow the instructions of the appellate authority.
- Implement the decision communicated by the competent authority.
The RO should not independently decide an appeal assigned to the appellate authority.
7. Withdrawal of Candidature
After scrutiny and the prescribed appeal process, candidates may withdraw their candidature within the permitted period.
The responsibilities of the RO include:
- Receive the withdrawal notice in the prescribed Form-VII.
- Verify the identity and genuineness of the withdrawal.
- Ensure compliance with the prescribed procedure and deadline.
- Issue the prescribed acknowledgement.
- Publish the withdrawal notice in Form-VIII.
- Maintain a proper record of withdrawals.
A candidate who has validly withdrawn cannot cancel that withdrawal under Rule 14.
8. Publication of Final List of Contesting Candidates
After the withdrawal period ends, the Returning Officer must prepare the final list of contesting candidates.
As per Rule 15, the list should be prepared in Form-IX.
The RO must:
- Include only candidates whose nominations remain valid and who have not withdrawn.
- Arrange candidate names alphabetically in Telugu as prescribed.
- Verify the spelling and particulars of each candidate.
- Publish the final list on the notice board.
9. Allotment of Election Symbols
The Returning Officer must allot election sysmbols to contesting candidates wherever a poll is necessary.
The symbol allotment should follow the State Election Commissioner’s instructions and applicable rules.
Important responsibilities:
- Prepare the approved list of available symbols.
- Follow the prescribed allotment procedure.
- Ensure that each candidate receives the appropriate symbol.
- Inform candidates or their election agents about the allotted symbols.
- Supply the specimen of the allotted symbol.
- Maintain proper records of symbol allotment.
10. Coordination with Assistant Returning Officer
The STAGE 1 RO should coordinate with the appointed Assistant Returning Officer(AROs)
Important responsibilities include:
- Distribute assigned work among the supporting staff.
- Guide AROs regarding nomination procedures.
- Monitor the nomination receiving process.
- Maintain proper communication.
- Ensure that all records are maintained correctly.
The ARO works under the control of the Returning Officer, subject to the applicable rules.