The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 16) set January 31, 2026 as the deadline for holding all ongoing local body elections in Maharashtra, issuing a stern warning to the State Election Commission (SEC) and the state government for repeated delays.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi ordered that elections to all Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and municipalities must be completed on the stipulated date, making it clear that no further extension will be given.
The court also ordered the completion of the delimitation exercise by October 31, 2025 and said the process cannot be used as a reason to postpone the elections.
“Elections to all local bodies…shall be held by January 2026. No further extension shall be granted to the State or the State Election Commission,” the bench said.
The apex court’s directions came after the SEC failed to comply with its May 6 order, which asked that the probes be notified within four weeks and concluded within four months.
Expressing its displeasure, the bench said, “We are constrained to note that the SEC has not taken prompt steps to comply with the directions of this Court within the prescribed time frame. »
The SEC had cited reasons such as non-availability of electronic voting machines (EVMs), lack of school premises due to board exams and shortage of staff for the delay.
However, the court rejected these justifications as administrative laxity, noting that the board exams are only scheduled for March 2026 and cannot be an excuse to push the elections beyond January.
The judges clarified that if the SEC requires logistical support, it must approach the Court before October 31, 2025 and no such pleas will be entertained thereafter.
With this order, the apex court has given a final concession to the SEC and the state government while holding them responsible for ensuring that democratic processes at the local body level are not further delayed.
Also read: Amoebic meningoencephalitis: Kerala reports 18 deaths, 67 infected with rare brain-eating amoeba
