Hyderabad, Oct 28 (IANS) The much-awaited elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will be held Nov 23.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission Wednesday issued notification for the polls, the first after surrounding municipalities were merged with the city to form Greater Hyderabad.

State Election Commissioner A.V.S. Reddy told reporters that nominations for the 150-member civic agency would be accepted from Oct 31 to Nov 6. The nomination papers would be scrutinised Nov 7. The last day for withdrawal of nominations is Nov 10. Elections for corporators of 150 wards will be held at 5,663 polling stations Nov 23.

According to the notification, the poll results would be announced Nov 26. The corporators will elect the mayor and deputy mayor Dec 6 and 7.

Reddy said the election code of conduct has come into effect immediately. He said inaugurations, foundation stones and announcements would not be allowed and any violation of the code would be dealt with sternly.

The poll notification was issued a couple of hours after Chief Minister K. Rosaiah visited some parts of the city and participated in various development programmes. He laid foundation stone for a housing colony, launched drinking water supply schemes in some areas and also inaugurated a few newly constructed roads.

The state government in 2007 had created Greater Hyderabad by merging 12 municipalities and eight gram panchayats from surrounding districts with Hyderabad.

With eight million population and over 7,000 square kilometres of geographical spread, Greater Hyderabad is second only to Bangalore in terms of area.