SC clears Maharashtra local body polls; reservation capped at 50 pc

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) to notify elections to the remaining local bodies with reservations for SC/ST and OBC communities capped at 50 per cent, and clarified that the results of elections already underway ~ where the reservation exceeds this ceiling ~ will remain subject to the outcome of the petitions challenging such excess reservation.

- PARMOD KUMAR

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, while noting that elections are progressing in several local bodies, said that "the results of local bodies where reservation exceeds 50 per cent will be subject to the outcome of the writ petition." The bench added that even the results of elections conducted within the 50 per cent cap would ultimately abide by the final adjudication.

The matter has now been referred to a three-judge bench and listed for 21 January, 2026.