Hyderabad, Jun 14: With the Andhra Pradesh High Court refusing to interfere in the election process for local bodies, the State Election Commission (SEC) today said it would notify the polls in another five days. State Election Commissioner P Ramakant Reddy told reporters that the polls are likely to be held in the second week of July. The High Court, earlier in the day, declined to interfere with the proposed election process for local bodies.

The sarpanches' association in AP had approached the High Court contending that the reservation proposed by the state government for SC/STs and BC categories exceeded 50 per cent, contrary to a Supreme Court judgement. Meanwhile, the main Opposition Telugu Desam welcomed the development, and said it is ready for the polls. The SEC said the process of elections would be completed by July 21.