New Delhi, Oct 19 (NationPress) As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections loom closer, the Delhi High Court has instructed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to fast-track the verification of a newly established political group, Party for the Rights of Other Backward Classes, within a six-week timeframe.

This decision came from a single-judge Bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna, who was addressing a writ petition submitted by President Rathina Sabapathi. The petition sought a timely physical verification of the party’s members, necessary for registration as per Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

As stated in the petition, the party was officially established during a General Body Meeting on April 9 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. An application for registration was subsequently filed with the ECI on April 29.

With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections expected to be announced in January 2026, the party expressed apprehension that any delays in registration could hinder its ability to compete under a common symbol.

The court highlighted that the current petition arises from the impending announcements regarding the state assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. The delay in registration could preclude the party from participating effectively. The Delhi High Court remarked on this urgency in its ruling.

During the hearing, Justice Pushkarna learned that a letter had been dispatched on October 13 to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu, requesting the necessary physical verification tied to the party’s application. Nevertheless, the ECI is still awaiting critical information from the CEO’s office.

After considering all arguments, the Delhi HC ordered: "The respondents must finalize the verification process swiftly, ideally within six weeks from today." The court also mandated that appropriate actions be taken to facilitate the party’s registration post-verification.