The Supreme Court on Monday granted a two-week extension to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) to complete the long-pending local body elections in the state. The decision comes in response to an interlocutory application filed by the SEC seeking ten additional days beyond the earlier January 31, 2026 deadline.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi allowed the request after senior advocate Balbir Singh, appearing for the SEC, submitted that elections for some zila parishads and panchayats could not be concluded within the original timeline. The court directed the registry to number the SEC’s application and formally granted a two-week extension.
However, the court was clear that the extension was a one-time allowance. In an earlier order dated September 16, 2025, the bench had strictly directed the SEC to conduct the polls by January 31, 2026, warning that no further extensions would be entertained. The delay in elections, originally due in 2022, was primarily attributed to disputes over OBC reservation.
During the hearing, the bench also took note of another plea alleging that the total reservation in Maharashtra’s local body elections had exceeded the 50% ceiling mandated by the Supreme Court. Senior advocate V Giri flagged that the reservation had crossed the “Lakshman Rekha” and reached 52%. The court responded that it had already clarified that elections would proceed, but the results would be subject to the outcome of the pending petitions challenging the breach of the 50% cap.
“If the 50% Lakshman Rekha has been crossed, the election will be held, but it will be subject to the outcome of these petitions,” the bench said.
Refusing to entertain fresh intervention applications in the matter, the court said such filings appeared to be aimed at stalling the poll process. It stated that all pending intervention applications would be taken up only after the completion of the elections.
In May 2025, the apex court had issued an interim directive that the local body elections must be concluded within four months—by September 2025. However, the SEC failed to notify the election schedule in time, citing logistical hurdles including festivals and staffing constraints. Petitioners had opposed the extension, arguing that the SEC was redoing the entire electoral process without justification.
The Supreme Court had earlier cautioned the SEC against delays and mandated that if any further logistical assistance was required, appropriate applications must be filed before October 31, 2025. Monday’s order reflects the court’s attempt to balance logistical realities with its insistence on timely democratic processes.
