Green Signal for Zilla Parishad and Municipal Elections; Supreme Court Issues Major Order
Delhi: The path for Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections is now clear, with the Supreme Court directing the Election Commission to ensure that reservation does not exceed the 50% limit in local body polls.
On 28 November, the Supreme Court heard petitions challenging reservations exceeding 50% in several local bodies. The bench of Chief Justice Suryakant Sharma and Justice Jaymalya Bagchi delivered crucial observations on the issue.
It was revealed during the hearing that nearly 22% of local bodies scheduled for elections have reservation levels exceeding 50%. Notably, in 40 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats, the cap has been crossed. The results from these places will remain subject to the final verdict or elections may need to be halted.
Concerns were also raised over the Bhanthia Commission report relating to OBC reservation. The court announced that a three-judge bench will hear the matter further in the second week of January 2026. Meanwhile, all other municipal and nagar panchayat elections may proceed as per schedule, though results of the 40 and 17 bodies will be subject to the final decision.
