By In a significant ruling aimed at reviving grassroots democracy, the Telangana High Court has ordered the State Government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct elections to local bodies across the state within a maximum period of three months. The directive comes amid mounting criticism over repeated delays in holding elections to various panchayats, municipalities, and municipal corporations.
Court Observes Constitutional Mandate
Delivering its verdict on a batch of public interest litigations (PILs), the High Court emphasized that Article 243E of the Constitution mandates timely elections to local self-governing institutions. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, expressed displeasure over the failure to adhere to constitutional provisions regarding local governance.
“The constitutional mandate is clear — elections to local bodies must be held before the expiry of their term or, in exceptional cases, within six months of dissolution,” the bench observed. “The failure to do so undermines democratic decentralization and citizen participation at the local level.”
Delays in Holding Elections Criticized
Multiple local bodies in Telangana have been functioning under special officers or government-appointed administrators due to the prolonged delay in conducting elections. In some urban and rural areas, terms expired as early as 2022, yet polls have not been held.
The court questioned the rationale provided by the State Election Commission and the state government for the delay, including administrative reorganization and COVID-related disruptions, terming them unjustifiable at this point. “The pandemic cannot continue to be a shield to defer democratic responsibilities,” the court remarked.
Government and SEC Must Coordinate Immediately
The court directed both the State Government and the SEC to immediately begin the process of delimitation, voter list updating, and election preparedness. The bench made it clear that “no further extension” would be entertained beyond the three-month deadline. It also instructed the SEC to release an election schedule “without unnecessary delay.”
The order instructed the Chief Secretary and the State Election Commissioner to submit an action-taken report to the court within four weeks, outlining steps being taken to comply with the timeline.
Petitioners Demand Accountability
The PILs that led to the verdict were filed by civic activists, retired bureaucrats, and opposition leaders who expressed concern over the erosion of local governance in Telangana. Advocate P. Janardhan Reddy, appearing for the petitioners, said the delay had led to a breakdown of accountability and lack of development at the village and ward levels.
“The absence of elected representatives has denied people their basic right to local governance. Funds are not being utilized efficiently, and administrative decisions are being taken without public consultation,” Reddy argued.
SEC’s Past Stand Under Scrutiny
The High Court also scrutinized the SEC’s actions and questioned why the constitutional body had not acted independently to ensure elections were held. “The SEC must not act as a subordinate agency to the government. It has a constitutional duty to uphold democratic principles,” the bench observed sternly.
In previous affidavits, the SEC had cited pending notifications and delimitation issues for its inaction. However, the court directed the Commission to act independently and not wait for government direction where its constitutional mandate is clear.
Political Reactions Across the State
The High Court’s ruling has triggered strong political reactions. The Congress and BJP, both in opposition in Telangana, welcomed the decision and accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of deliberately delaying elections to avoid public backlash in local areas.
“This is a victory for democracy. The BRS was afraid to face the people after their misgovernance,” said Telangana BJP president G. Kishan Reddy.
Congress leader Bhatti Vikramarka echoed similar views, stating that local issues were being neglected due to political convenience.
Meanwhile, leaders from the BRS said they would abide by the court’s ruling and ensure smooth conduct of polls. “We respect the judiciary and will extend all support to the SEC,” said a senior BRS leader.
Administrative Preparations Now a Priority
With the court order now in place, both the State Government and the SEC will need to expedite administrative preparations, including:
- Completing ward and panchayat delimitation
- Updating electoral rolls
- Finalizing reservation rosters for SC, ST, BC, and Women candidates
- Coordinating with police for security arrangements
Sources from the SEC’s office have indicated that preliminary discussions with district collectors have already begun, and a tentative calendar may be published soon.
Strengthening Local Governance
Legal experts and constitutional scholars hailed the High Court’s directive as a crucial move to restore democratic accountability at the local level. Former Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy stated, “Local body elections are the foundation of participatory governance. Delays not only violate the Constitution but weaken the democratic spirit.”
Citizens across the state also expressed hope that elected representatives would return to address key local issues like sanitation, water supply, street lighting, and local infrastructure — areas that have seen serious neglect under administrative rule.
Conclusion: A Democratic Deadline Set
The Telangana High Court’s order marks a turning point in restoring local self-governance in the state. With a clear timeline of three months, the onus now lies on the government and the SEC to uphold the Constitution and the spirit of democracy. The coming months will be crucial in determining how swiftly and efficiently these institutions act to conduct free, fair, and timely local body elections.
