Supreme Court Grants Two-Week Extension for Maharashtra Local Body Polls
The Supreme Court of India extended the timeline for completing Maharashtra's local body elections by two weeks on Monday. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joyamalya Bagchi approved the extension after hearing submissions from the State Election Commission.
SEC Seeks Additional Time for Electoral Process
Senior advocate Balbir Singh, representing the State Election Commission, informed the court about an interlocutory application requesting a ten-day extension beyond the January 31 deadline. Singh explained that elections for some zila parishads and panchayats required approximately ten more days for completion.
The bench directed the registry to number the SEC's application before granting the two-week extension. This decision allows additional time for finishing the electoral process while maintaining overall schedule integrity.
Court Addresses Reservation Quota Concerns
During the hearing, the court addressed another petition alleging that reservation quotas in Maharashtra local body polls exceeded the fifty percent limit. The bench clarified that elections would proceed but remain subject to petition outcomes.
"If fifty percent of the lakshman rekha has been crossed, like in this case where it is fifty-two percent, then the election will be held but it will be subject to the outcome of these petitions," the bench told senior advocate V Giri.
The court refused to entertain fresh intervention applications, stating they only intended to delay election processes. All such petitions will be listed after local body polls conclude.
Background of Election Delays and Court Directives
The Supreme Court previously pulled up the Maharashtra State Election Commission on September 16 last year for non-compliance with its orders. The court had directed completion of local body elections by January 31, 2026, with no further extensions permitted.
These elections have remained stalled since 2022 primarily due to disputes concerning Other Backward Classes reservation in local bodies. The bench expressed frustration over the SEC's failure to comply with mandated timelines.
In its earlier order, the court specified:
- Elections for all local bodies must conclude by January 31, 2026
- No further extensions granted to state or SEC
- Logistic assistance applications must be filed before October 31, 2025
- No prayers entertained after that date
The court passed this order on a batch of petitions concerning long-pending civic body elections in Maharashtra. An interim order issued in May last year directed poll conclusion within four months by September 2025.
Opposition to Extension Requests
Petitioners opposed the extension, arguing that the SEC failed to notify elections within stipulated two weeks. They claimed the commission was redoing entire processes while citing various excuses including festivals and staff shortages.
The bench recorded that election delays since 2022 stemmed mainly from OBC reservation disputes in local bodies. Despite these challenges, the court maintains its commitment to ensuring timely electoral processes while addressing legitimate logistical requirements.
