ORDER :

1. In these two writ petitions, petitioners challenge notification No. 3038/TSEC-ULBs/ 2019 dated 23.12.2019 issued by State Election Commission specifying the schedule of election to the Urban Local Bodies. As the issue in these two writ petitions is the same, the writ petitions are disposed of by the common order.

2. Heard learned senior Counsel for Petitioners Sri. D. Prakash Reddy and Sri. S. Satyam Reddy, learned Additional Advocate General and learned senior counsel Sri. C.V. Mohan Reddy for State Election Commission.

3. THE BACKGROUND FACTS TO THE EXTENT RELEVANT ARE AS UNDER:

3.1 The term of existing municipalities expired on 2.7.2019. In the meantime several new municipalities/municipal corporations are also formed. As of now there are about 120 municipalities and 10 municipal corporations in the State of Telangana, excluding Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. As per the mandate of the Constitution of India elections have to be held to elect the municipal councils even before the term of the elected body of the Municipality is over. Telangana Municipalities (Division of Municipalities into Wards) Rules, 2019 were notified vide G.O.Ms. No. 78 Municipal Administration (Urb