Visakhapatnam is preparing for a significant change in its municipal election process, with the Andhra Pradesh government reserving the GVMC Mayor’s post for Women (General) under its latest reservation notification, G.O. Ms. No. 252, issued on October 12, 2026.

The upcoming civic polls will also mark the return of direct mayoral elections in the city after 26 years. The last time residents directly elected their Mayor was in 2000, when Rajana Ramani won the post under the former Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. Following changes to the municipal election system, Mayors were subsequently elected by corporators.

The Municipal Laws (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2026, restored the direct election system for Mayors and Chairpersons of urban local bodies for a fixed five-year term.

The reservation decision is expected to shape political strategies in Visakhapatnam, with parties beginning discussions about potential women candidates for the mayoral post. The new system will allow eligible voters to choose their Mayor directly rather than leaving the selection solely to elected corporators.

The government has finalised reservation categories for mayoral posts across all 17 municipal corporations in Andhra Pradesh as preparations for the local body elections continue. The election schedule and candidates will be determined through the subsequent election process.