Andhra to scrap two-child norm for contesting civic elections

AMARAVATI, Andhra Pradesh: The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday, August 7, decided to scrap the two-child norm that was mandatory for contesting civic elections. The declining total fertility rate in Andhra Pradesh is one of the main constituent of this decision of the government. 

To implement this decision, the government will have to repeal the amendments made to the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act 1955 and the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act 1965 to restrict people with more than two children from contesting civic elections. The amendment was introduced back in 1994. There were similar restrictions barring people from contesting the rural local body elections, but they were scrapped in 2019.

Speaking with the media, K Parthsarathi, Minister for Public Relations, said that the government took note of the declining total fertility rate, population stabilisation, and population balance. The national fertility rate in India has come down to 2.1, while the fertility rate in Andhra Pradesh stands at 1.5.

Apart from that, the male population’s reproduction age in the state is currently 32.5 years, which is estimated to go up to 40 by 2047. Similarly, the female reproduction age is 29 years right now. This will increase to 38 by 2047. It becomes important to note that with this trend, the number of young people, who contribute greatly to economic development, will decrease drastically. As of now, only 11 per cent of the state population is over the age of 60, but by 2047, this will increase to 19 per cent.

Considering this, the state government decided to repeal the act preventing people with more than two children from contesting civic elections.