Jaipur, May 26 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court has delivered a significant verdict in the long-pending matter concerning delays in Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections, dismissing contempt petitions filed against the state government and the State Election Commission while reiterating that elections must be completed by July 31.

The Division Bench comprising Justice Mahendra Kumar Goyal and Justice Anil Kumar Upman disposed of the contempt petitions after concluding that they no longer stay valid in view of the revised timeline already fixed by the court. The ruling provides relief to the state government and the Election Commission from contempt proceedings but simultaneously places the administrative machinery under pressure to adhere to the July 31 deadline.

The matter traces back to November 2025, when the Rajasthan High Court, while hearing around 439 petitions together, directed the state government to complete delimitation and ward demarcation by December 31, 2025, and conduct Panchayat and local body elections by April 15, 2026. When elections were not held by the stipulated deadline, former MLA Sanyam Lodha and Girraj Singh Devanda moved the High Court seeking contempt action against the government and the State Election Commission, alleging deliberate non-compliance with judicial directions. Acting on the petitions, the High Court had earlier issued notices to the State Election Commission.

During the final hearing, Advocate General Rajendra Prasad appeared on behalf of the state government and submitted that there was no intention to delay the elections. He argued that conducting polls by April 15 became administratively difficult due to pending processes, particularly delays relating to the report of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Representation Commission.

The state government informed the court that it had sought an extension of time and that subsequent developments had altered the earlier timeline.

Taking note of these submissions, the Division Bench observed that a revised deadline of July 31 had already been fixed in the main writ proceedings. Consequently, the contempt petitions linked to the earlier April 15 deadline no longer retained legal relevance.

On this basis, the court dismissed and disposed of both contempt petitions.

The issue of OBC reservation, meanwhile, continues to remain at the centre of the electoral process. Officials say the delay is closely linked to the determination of OBC reservation in Panchayat and local body seats. The state government had earlier extended the tenure of the OBC Political Representation Commission, arguing that accurate reservation allocation requires reliable data.

In a separate order dated May 22, the High Court directed the OBC Commission to submit its interim report to the government by June 20. The court further observed that if the Commission fails to submit the report within the stipulated timeline, the Election Commission must still complete the electoral process by July 31, treating OBC-reserved seats as General category seats.

With the July 31 deadline now reaffirmed, attention has shifted toward the OBC Commission’s report and the State Election Commission’s preparations to ensure compliance with the High Court’s directions.

–IANS

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