AP: Panchayat Raj Act amended. New voters can register every quarter

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill–2026 , introducing significant reforms to voter enrolment in rural local body elections.

The amendment allows eligible citizens to register as voters four times a year , replacing the earlier system that recognised only January 1 as the qualifying date. Under the revised framework, January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 will serve as eligibility cut-off dates. This ensures that youth who turn 18 during any quarter can apply for inclusion in electoral rolls without waiting nearly a year.

The reform aligns Panchayat Raj institutions with the voter registration system already followed for Assembly, Parliamentary and Municipal elections, paving the way for a uniform electoral roll system across the state.

The Bill, introduced on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan , replaces an ordinance issued in December last year, giving it full legislative backing.