Andhra Pradesh Sarpanch Nomination Form 2026: How to Apply?

Andhra Pradesh Gram Panchayat Elections 2026 are scheduled to be conducted in three phases. Candidates who want to contest for the Sarpanch post must submit the prescribed Form-III nomination paper to the concerned Returning Officer (RO) within the notified dates and hours.

The nomination process is governed by the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2006. Candidates should check their Gram Panchayat election notice, reservation category, eligibility and required declarations before submitting the form.

AP Sarpanch Nomination Form 2026: Overview

AP Sarpanch Nomination 2026: Phase-Wise Important Dates

Important: The phase applicable to a particular Gram Panchayat and the exact nomination submission location and hours must be checked in the election notice issued by the concerned Returning Officer. Do not assume a phase based only on the district name.

What Is Form-III for Sarpanch Election?

Form-III is the prescribed nomination paper for candidates contesting the Gram Panchayat Sarpanch and Ward Member elections in Andhra Pradesh. Under the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2006, a Sarpanch candidate must submit the prescribed nomination paper signed by the candidate and proposer.

The candidate must also sign the declaration on the nomination paper confirming willingness to contest the election. Each candidate must be nominated on a separate nomination paper.

How to Apply for AP Sarpanch Election 2026?

Follow these steps to complete the Sarpanch nomination process:

1. Check the election notification: Visit the APSEC website and check the Gram Panchayat election notification applicable to your area.
2. Check seat reservation: Confirm whether your Gram Panchayat Sarpanch seat is reserved for SC, ST, BC, Women or Unreserved category.
3. Verify voter registration: Ensure that your name appears in the electoral roll of the concerned Gram Panchayat.
4. Contact the Returning Officer: Obtain Form-III and the current nomination instructions from the concerned RO.
5. Fill in Form-III: Enter the candidates name, age, address, electoral roll details and other prescribed information.
6. Enter proposer details: The proposer must be a registered voter in any ward of the same Gram Panchayat.
7. Prepare declarations: Complete the prescribed self-declaration, election expenditure undertaking and reservation-category declaration, wherever applicable.
8. Pay the security deposit: Deposit the prescribed amount using the payment method accepted by the Returning Officer.
9. Submit the nomination: The candidate or proposer must deliver the duly signed nomination paper to the RO at the notified place and time.
10. Collect acknowledgement: Obtain the nomination receipt and keep it safely.
11. Attend scrutiny: Check the nomination scrutiny result and follow the appeal process, if required.

Can I Submit the Sarpanch Nomination Form Online?

Online nomination entry may be made available through the official candidate portal for the relevant election. However, candidates must understand the difference between online data entry and legally valid submission.

The online nomination notice states that a nomination entered through the portal is valid only when the candidate personally, or through the proposer, delivers the duly signed nomination paper to the Returning Officer at the date, time and place specified in the election notice.

Therefore, do not assume that clicking Submit on an online form completes the nomination process. Follow the signed-paper submission instructions issued by the concerned RO.

Information Required in Form-III

Keep the following information ready before filling in the nomination form. The exact fields may depend on the current prescribed form and portal configuration.

• Candidates full name and name in Telugu, where required.
• Fathers, mothers or husbands name, as applicable.
• Date of birth and age.
• Gender and residential address.
• Gram Panchayat and polling station details.
• Candidates electoral roll serial number.
• Social category and reservation details, where applicable.
• Educational qualification details for the prescribed declaration.
• Occupation and other prescribed personal details.
• Proposers name and electoral roll details.
• Candidates signature and proposers signature.

Documents Required for Sarpanch Nomination 2026

The final document checklist must be confirmed from the current APSEC instructions and the concerned Returning Officer. Do not assume that every general identity document is a mandatory attachment in every case.

Who Can Propose a Sarpanch Candidate?

According to the election rules, the proposer for a Sarpanch candidate must be a registered voter in any ward of the concerned Gram Panchayat. The proposer does not have to be from the candidates own ward.

The candidates name and the proposers name and electoral roll details must match the relevant voter list. The candidate and proposer must sign the prescribed nomination paper.

AP Sarpanch Election 2026: Security Deposit

The reported Sarpanch nomination security deposit amounts are shown below. Candidates should verify the applicable amount and accepted payment method from the latest APSEC notification or the Returning Officer before making payment.

Reasons Why a Sarpanch Nomination May Be Rejected

A nomination can be rejected during scrutiny if it does not satisfy the applicable legal and procedural requirements. Common issues to avoid include:

• Candidate is not qualified under the applicable provisions of the Act.
• Candidates name is not found in the electoral roll of the concerned Gram Panchayat.
• Required signatures of the candidate or proposer are missing.
• Proposer does not meet the electoral roll requirement.
• Mandatory reservation declaration is missing for a reserved seat.
• Required prescribed declaration or supporting document is incomplete or missing.
• Nomination paper is not delivered within the notified time or at the notified place.
• Prescribed security deposit requirements are not fulfilled.

The Returning Officer must examine the nomination under the applicable election rules. Candidates should read the official instructions carefully and ask the RO about any unclear requirement before submission.

How to Check Sarpanch Nomination Status?

1. Visit the official APSEC website: https://sec.ap.gov.in/.
2. Open the relevant Gram Panchayat election notification or candidate information section.
3. Check the nomination scrutiny notice published by the concerned Returning Officer.
4. Search for the candidates name in the accepted and rejected nomination lists, where published.
5. Contact the RO if you need clarification about the status of your nomination.
6. Check the final list of contesting candidates after the withdrawal deadline.

Official Rules and Websites

• Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (APSEC)
• Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2006 – PDF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which form is required for AP Sarpanch Election 2026?

Form-III is the prescribed nomination paper for Gram Panchayat Sarpanch and Ward Member elections in Andhra Pradesh.

2. Can I apply online for the AP Sarpanch election?

Online nomination entry may be available through the candidate portal. However, the duly signed nomination paper must still be delivered by the candidate or proposer to the Returning Officer as specified in the election notice.

3. What is the last date to submit the Sarpanch nomination form?

The announced last dates are 17 November 2026 for Phase 1, 20 November 2026 for Phase 2 and 23 November 2026 for Phase 3. Check which phase applies to your Gram Panchayat.

4. Who can submit the Sarpanch nomination paper?

The candidate or the candidates proposer can present the signed nomination paper in person to the Returning Officer within the notified hours.

5. Can a proposer be from another ward?

Yes. A Sarpanch candidates proposer can be a registered voter in any ward of the same Gram Panchayat.

6. What is the minimum age for a Sarpanch candidate?

The candidate must have completed at least 21 years of age, subject to the applicable scrutiny-date requirement.

7. Is a 10th pass certificate compulsory?

No minimum educational qualification is prescribed for the Sarpanch post under the applicable Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj provisions. Educational information may still be required in the prescribed declaration.

8. Where can I get Form-III?

Contact the concerned Returning Officer or check the official APSEC candidate portal and election instructions for the prescribed nomination paper.

Conclusion

To contest the Andhra Pradesh Sarpanch Election 2026, candidates must complete the prescribed Form-III nomination paper and submit it to the Returning Officer within the applicable deadline. Online entry alone does not complete the legal nomination process where signed physical delivery is required. Check your Gram Panchayats election phase, seat reservation, voter registration, required declarations and deposit before submitting the nomination. Always follow the latest APSEC notification and instructions issued by the concerned Returning Officer.