Political Overview

Hyderabad being the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh is also a political hot spot of the state. It houses the executive and legislative headquarters of the government of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad contributes 2 seats to the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament). In addition, parts of the city are part of two other electoral districts for the Lok Sabha. It elects thirteen members to the State's Legislative Assembly.

Civic Administration

Hyderabad, a former princely state of South Central India is now an administrative, commercial and transportation hub of Andhra Pradesh. Its two-tier administrative units comprising of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) and the Hyderabad district administration. The civic administration of the city is controlled by the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) whose titular head is the Mayor who has few executive powers. The real executive power of the corporation is vested in the Municipal Commissioner, an IAS officer appointed by the Andhra Pradesh state government.

MCH is responsible for the civic maintenance and infrastructure of the city. The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) comprises of 100 elected representatives, called "corporators", one from each of the 100 wards (localities) of the city. The representatives (or corporators) are elected by means of a popular vote and almost all the state political parties field their candidates. They stay for five years in power.

The city is composed of one district in Andhra Pradesh, and comes under the jurisprudence of the District Collector. The collectors are in-charge of property records and revenue collection for the Central government. They oversee the national elections held in the city. The metropolitan area encompasses the Ranga Reddy District, which was carved out of an earlier unified Hyderabad district.

Hyderabad Police is the law enforcement agency in the city headed by a Police Commissioner, an IPS officer appointed by the state government. The department comes under the state Home Ministry. Hyderabad is divided into five police zones, each headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. The Traffic Police is a semi-autonomous body under the Hyderabad Police.

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh is also located in the city. Hyderabad also has two lower courts, such as the Small Causes Court for civil matters, and the Sessions Court for criminal cases.