Court Orders Maharashtra to Conduct Local Elections in Four Weeks and Reinstate OBC Quota

The Supreme Court announced on Monday, May 5, that the Maharashtra State Election Commission must schedule elections for local bodies within four weeks, reinstating Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation according to the law that was in place prior to the 2022 report from the State Backward Classes Commission, as reported by Live Law.

A panel comprising Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh issued these directives “subject to the outcome of these proceedings and without prejudice to the issues intended to be raised.” The court further requested that efforts be made to complete the entire election process within four months following the notification. Nevertheless, it permitted extensions in suitable cases.

This ruling aims to resolve the extended delays in civic elections throughout Maharashtra, which have been hindered by a legal and political deadlock regarding the implementation of OBC reservations.
The Bench clarified that elections must proceed under the previous OBC reservation framework, and emphasized that the State Election Commission is tasked with promptly initiating this process.

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