297. Transitional provision in regard to elections.
(1)The first ordinary elections to the Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads in accordance with the provisions of this Act shall be held within a period not exceeding one year and six months from the date of commencement of this Act.(2)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, for the purpose of the first ordinary elections to the Gram Panchayats under this Act, the Gram Panchayats shall be deemed to have been constituted for the villages specified in Schedule VIII, and accordingly the State Election Commission may prepare the voters list and conduct the elections to those Gram Panchayats prior to the date of their constitution as such in terms of section 4 of the Act:Provided that such elected bodies under sub-section (2) shall take charge only on or after the date on which the Gram Panchayats are constituted in terms of section 4 of the Act.
