The Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018 (Act No. 5 of 2018) lays down detailed rules regarding the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates contesting elections to Mandal Praja Parishads (MPTCs) and Zilla Praja Parishads (ZPTCs). These provisions are crucial as they decide who can represent rural citizens at the mandal and district level.
ZPTC Eligibility (Section 179–180)
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Basic Qualifications
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Must be a citizen of India.
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Must be a registered voter in any Gram Panchayat within the concerned Mandal (for MPTC) or within the district (for ZPTC).
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Must have attained the age of 21 years.
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Disqualifications
A person cannot contest if they:-
Are of unsound mind or declared insolvent.
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Hold an office of profit under the government.
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Have been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude within the past five years.
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Failed to submit accounts of election expenses in previous elections.
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Defaulted in government dues, cooperative society loans, or Panchayat taxes.
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Reservation Rules
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Seats for SCs, STs, BCs and Women are reserved as per proportion of population.
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34% reservation for Backward Classes.
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50% of total seats reserved for women, across all categories.
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Reservation is applied in rotation after every two terms.
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Tenure
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ZPTC members hold office for five years unless dissolved earlier.
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MPTC Eligibility (Sections 150–151)
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Basic Qualifications
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Must be a citizen of India.
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Must be a registered voter in the concerned Mandal.
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Must have attained the age of 21 years.
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Disqualifications
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Same as ZPTC, covering insolvency, conviction, corruption, failure to file election expenses, or being a government contractor with interest in Panchayat works.
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Reservation Rules
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SC, ST, BC and Women’s reservations apply in the same pattern.
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At least 34% of MPTC seats reserved for BCs, 50% for women.
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Importance of Eligibility Rules
The eligibility rules ensure that local body representatives maintain integrity, financial discipline, and social inclusiveness. With mandatory reservation for women, backward classes, and weaker sections, the Act tries to make local governance more democratic and representative.
The rules also prevent misuse of office by barring contractors, defaulters, or individuals with criminal records from contesting.
The Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018 has modernized the rural governance system by making eligibility and reservation policies transparent. For citizens aspiring to contest in ZPTC and MPTC elections, it is vital to ensure that they meet the basic criteria, avoid disqualifications, and understand how reservation works in their constituency.
