Supreme Court Mandates Completion of Maharashtra Local Body Polls by 2026

The Supreme Court has directed Maharashtra's local body elections, stalled since 2022, to conclude by January 2026. Despite previous delays, the court emphasized strict compliance, urging state officials to ensure necessary arrangements, including EVM access and staff deployment, to meet the deadline.

The Supreme Court has issued a stern directive to Maharashtra's State Election Commission to complete the stalled local body elections by January 31, 2026, following prolonged delays since 2022.

A bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, emphasized there would be no further extensions granted, urging prompt compliance with court orders.

The court's directive comes amid ongoing delimitation processes and logistical challenges including insufficient EVMs and school unavailability due to exams.

(With inputs from agencies.)