Overview
- GO 46, issued on November 22, sets the reservation framework for SC, ST and BC categories in gram panchayat polls and suppresses the earlier GO 42 that is under High Court challenge.
- The order follows a Dedicated Commission report submitted this week, which the government has not made public, and reiterates compliance with the Supreme Court’s 50% ceiling on total quotas.
- Ward member reservations for SC, ST and BC and BC sarpanch allocations will be based on SEEPC 2024, while SC and ST sarpanch seats will use 2011 Census data.
- Reservations will be identified in the sequence of ST, then SC, then BC, then women, with RDOs finalising sarpanch lists, MPDOs handling ward lists, and women’s seats allotted by lottery in the presence of party representatives.
- A High Court hearing is scheduled for November 24 with cabinet consideration planned for November 25, and the election schedule is expected around November 25–26 with three-phase polling likely before December 20.