Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Supreme Court Lets Maharashtra Local Polls Proceed, Orders 50% Quota Cap for Future Notifications

The court set a temporary arrangement to keep the December 2 polls on track, enforcing the 50% reservation ceiling for any new notifications.

Overview

  • Elections to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats are notified for December 2, and the SEC told the court that 57 of these bodies exceed the 50% reservation limit.
  • The bench adjourned the matter to November 28 and asked the State Election Commission to submit a detailed list of bodies breaching the cap.
  • Reservations exceeding 50% in the already-notified 57 bodies will be subject to the final outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings, with the CJI cautioning that unlawful polls can be set aside.
  • The state sought time to consult the SEC after relying on a June 2 letter from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that backed a flat 27% OBC quota even where the total breached 50%.
  • Elections for zila parishads, municipal corporations and panchayat samitis are yet to be notified and must comply with the 50% ceiling.