Why Did the Telangana State Election Commission Suspend Local Body Poll Notifications?
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Synopsis
The recent suspension of election notifications by the Telangana State Election Commission raises questions about the future of local body polls. With the High Court's stay on the government's order for 42% reservation for Backward Classes, the electoral process faces uncertainty, impacting millions of voters in the state. What will happen next?
Key Takeaways
- The Telangana High Court has stayed the government order for 42% reservation.
- The State Election Commission has halted local body election notifications.
- Legal challenges surround the reservation policies for Backward Classes.
- Over 1.67 crore voters are affected by this suspension.
- The SEC is expected to navigate complex legal and political terrains.
Hyderabad, Oct 9 (NationPress) Just hours after the Telangana High Court halted a state government order (GO) that provided 42 percent reservation to Backward Classes in local bodies, the State Election Commission announced the suspension of the election notification until further notice.
The State Election Commission (SEC), which had initially issued the notification on September 29 for rural local body elections, revealed late Thursday that the notice regarding elections for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), and Gram Panchayats is now on hold until further instructions.
State Election Commissioner Rani Kumudini made the declaration following the High Court's stay on the GO related to the 42 percent reservation and the notification for rural body elections.
The division bench comprised of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin issued the interim order after a two-day hearing on petitions contesting the Backward Class reservations.
The bench has postponed the hearing for six weeks.
It has mandated the state government and SEC to submit comprehensive counter affidavits in four weeks while giving petitioners two weeks to respond.
The SEC had planned elections for rural local bodies in five phases.
The nomination process for the first phase of polls was initiated on Thursday.
According to the election schedule announced on September 29, elections for ZPTCs, MPTCs, and Gram Panchayats were slated to occur in five phases throughout October and November.
Voting for MPTCs and ZPTCs was scheduled for October 23 and 27, while Gram Panchayats were to hold elections on October 31, November 4, and November 8.
Over 1.67 crore voters were eligible to participate in these elections.
The Telangana High Court previously directed the SEC to complete the election process by September 30.
The SEC had filed a petition requesting a 45-day extension.
On September 26, the state government issued a GO reserving 42 percent of seats and positions in local bodies for Backward Classes.
This GO was enacted as two Bills, passed by the Assembly on August 31, were still awaiting the Governor's approval.
The Telangana Municipalities (Third Amendment) Bill, 2025, and Telangana Panchayat Raj (Third Amendment) Bill, 2025, were passed to raise Backward Class reservations in local bodies to 42 percent by removing the 50 percent cap on the quota for all categories.
Earlier in March, the state Assembly had approved two bills aimed at increasing Backward Class reservations to 42 percent in education, employment, and local bodies.
However, neither of these bills has yet received the approval of President Murmu.
Point of View
The suspension of local body poll notifications in Telangana underscores the complexities surrounding reservation policies in India. The balance between ensuring representation for marginalized communities and adhering to judicial directives is crucial. As the SEC navigates this challenge, the implications for voters and local governance are significant. We must remain engaged and informed as this situation unfolds.
NationPress
09/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the suspension of local body polls in Telangana?
The suspension was prompted by a stay from the Telangana High Court on a government order providing 42% reservation to Backward Classes in local bodies.
How many phases were the local body elections scheduled for?
The elections were initially planned to occur in five phases across October and November.
What is the significance of the 42% reservation?
The 42% reservation aims to enhance representation for Backward Classes in local governance but has faced legal challenges.
When was the initial election notification issued?
The initial notification for the local body elections was issued on September 29.
How many eligible voters are there for these elections?
More than 1.67 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming local body elections.
