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Key Points

The Jharkhand High Court has strongly criticized the state government's delay in conducting municipal elections. The court has directed the government to submit poll date recommendations within three weeks, rejecting previous excuses about OBC reservation surveys. High-ranking state officials have been ordered to appear at the next hearing on November 10th. With 48 urban local bodies pending elections since 2020, the court is pushing for immediate action to restore democratic processes.

Key Points: Jharkhand HC Demands Local Body Poll Dates Within Weeks

  • Jharkhand HC directs govt to recommend local body poll dates
  • Court rejects State Election Commission's three-month timeline
  • OBC reservation survey completed for municipal polls
  • 48 urban local bodies awaiting elections since 2020
2 min read

Jharkhand HC directs govt to recommend dates for local body polls within three weeks

Jharkhand High Court orders state government to recommend municipal election dates, criticizing prolonged delays in local body polls

"The government cannot indefinitely delay the elections - Jharkhand High Court Bench"

Ranchi, Oct 14

The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday expressed strong displeasure over the state government's continued delay in holding elections to municipal corporations and other urban local bodies.

The court directed the government to send its recommendations to the State Election Commission (SEC) on holding local body polls within three weeks.

The directive came during the hearing of a contempt petition. The matter was heard by the bench of Justice Ananda Sen.

During the hearing, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Home Secretary Vandana Dadel, Urban Development Principal Secretary Sunil Kumar, and Additional Secretary Gyanendra Kumar were present in person.

Appearing for the state government, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan informed the court that the delay in the polls was due to the time taken to determine the reservation percentage for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in municipal bodies, in line with the Supreme Court's triple test criteria.

He said the triple test survey has been completed and the report will soon be placed before the Cabinet. Once approved, the government will send its recommendations to the SEC to initiate the poll process.

However, the court observed that the government cannot indefinitely delay the elections, citing the triple test process, and emphasised the need for immediate action.

Advocate Sumit Gadodia, representing the State Election Commission, sought three months to conduct the polls, but the court rejected the request. It directed the Commission to clarify at the next hearing how soon it can hold the elections once the government's recommendation is received.

The court also ordered the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and Urban Development Secretary to remain personally present at the next hearing, scheduled for November 10.

The same bench had directed the state government on January 4, 2024, to ensure that elections to all municipal bodies were held within three weeks, while hearing a petition filed by Roshni Khalkho, an outgoing Ranchi Municipal Corporation councillor.

As that order remains unimplemented, Khalkho subsequently filed a contempt petition, which is now being heard.

Jharkhand has 48 urban local bodies, including 12 where elections have been pending since June 2020. The remaining bodies completed their terms in April 2023, but polls have not yet been announced.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand the need for proper OBC reservation process, 3+ years delay is unacceptable. Local governance has suffered badly in Jharkhand. Hope elections happen soon! 🤞
S
Sarah B
Good to see the judiciary taking charge. The government officials being made to appear personally should ensure accountability. Democracy cannot be put on hold indefinitely.
V
Vikram M
As a resident of Ranchi, I've seen how the absence of elected councilors affects basic services. Roads, sanitation, water supply - everything has been neglected. Elections are urgent! 🏙️
A
Aman W
Respectfully, while the court's intervention is necessary, I hope they also consider the complexity of the triple test process. Getting OBC reservations right is crucial for fair representation.
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Nisha Z
The SEC asking for 3 months when the court had already given 3 weeks in January shows how casual everyone has been about this. Thank goodness for judicial oversight! 🙏
M
Michael C
This sets a good precedent for other states where local body elections are delayed. Democracy at grassroots level is essential for development. Hope Jharkhand gets its elected representatives soon.

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