The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra State election commission (SEC) and the State authorities to ensure the process for local bodies' election is commenced within two weeks.
The apex court, which was hearing the case related to OBC quota in Maharashtra local body elections and was apprised that the poll process for 367 local bodies has already started, observed the election cannot be deferred anymore.
"We want elections to be held and we are making it loud and clear to all of you. Let the election process commence. Let it be taken to the logical end," a bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar said, while directing that the poll process be commenced within two weeks.
The bench, also comprising justices A S Oka and J B Pardiwala, was hearing an application related to local bodies' elections in Maharashtra.
The top court noted that the counsel appearing for the SEC has pointed out that the election programme for 367 local bodies has already commenced and the same will be continued and taken to its logical end in due course.
"As regards the remaining local bodies referred to in the chart filed in the status report, we direct the election commission and all the state authorities to ensure that the election process in respect of each of those local bodies is immediately commenced and taken forward on the basis of the direction given by this court in an order dated May 4, 2022….," the bench said.
In its May 4 order, the apex court had directed the SEC to notify the programme for local bodies elections within two weeks.
"Accordingly, the election programme of such local bodies must proceed and the State Election Commission is obliged to notify the election programme within two weeks from today in respect of such local bodies including to continue with the process from the stage as on March 10, 2022, on the basis of the delimitation done prior to coming into force of the amendment Act(s) with effect from March 11, 2022," it had said in its May 4 order.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the counsel appearing for the SEC said they have filed a compliance report and gave details about the status of the election process.