Will the Telangana HC Force the Government to Hold Local Body Elections?

Hyderabad, June 25 (NationPress) The Telangana High Court has mandated that the state government conduct elections for local bodies within three months.

Justice T. Madhavi Devi issued this ruling on a series of petitions regarding the postponement of the gram panchayat elections.

The court ordered the state government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to finalize the elections by September 30, rejecting claims that additional time was necessary to initiate the electoral process.

The judge instructed them to complete ward divisions within 30 days and to ensure the elections are conducted by the end of September.

Petitions from former sarpanches highlighted the urgent need for the elections, noting that the terms of the panchayats were set to expire on January 31, 2024, and had already been delayed by 18 months.

On Monday, Justice Madhavi Devi had reserved judgment on six petitions filed by these former sarpanches, with the decision being announced on Wednesday.

While reserving judgment, the single-judge bench reminded the state government of its previous assurance to the High Court to hold elections for local bodies by February 2025.

Additional Advocate General Imran Khan informed the court that the state government would need a month to announce reservations for backward classes within local bodies. It was clarified that the reservations would be established in strict compliance with the Supreme Court's directives.

Senior counsel Vidyasagar, representing the State Election Commission, stated that elections would be conducted within 60 days following the government’s announcement of reservations.

The petitioners urged the bench to either extend their terms or immediately conduct elections for village panchayats. They argued against the appointment of special officers in their absence, citing violations of Articles 243E and 243K of the Constitution and the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act-2018.

They maintained that local body elections should occur within six months of the elected body's term expiration, as required by the Constitution.

Additionally, they pointed out that the state government had previously committed to holding elections by February 25, which it failed to do.

The former sarpanches also mentioned that they had personally funded development projects in their villages and sought reimbursement for these expenses.

In response to the court’s ruling, the former sarpanches expressed their satisfaction, stating that governance in rural areas had stagnated due to the absence of public representatives such as ward members and sarpanches.