Telangana High Court pulls up State government over delay in local body polls

The Telangana High Court questioned the state government over delays in conducting local body elections, reprimanding them for failing to act on previous directions. The court adjourned the case until November 11, requesting an answer on the election schedule

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday questioned the State government over the delay in conducting local body elections and reprimanded the Congress administration for not acting despite the court’s earlier directions.

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The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin, was hearing a writ petition challenging the State Election Commission’s (SEC) decision to suspend the conduct of local body elections in the State. The petitioner argued that the suspension of the election process was illegal and violative of Article 243-E, noting that the term of the previous elected bodies ended in January 2024 and elections should have been completed within six months from the date of dissolution. It was submitted that despite the court’s common interim order dated October 9, to convert excess reserved seats to open category and proceed with the revised poll schedule, the SEC had not complied.

Senior counsel for the SEC submitted that the Commission was awaiting the government’s decision in light of the stay granted on GO No. 9 dated September 26, 2025. At this juncture, the court posed pointed questions to the State’s counsel: “You are evading the question. Are you aware that there is an interim order where the court has indicated conducting elections? Are you aware of Article 243-E? The SEC is waiting for your response on the proportionate reduction of seats. What are the instructions?”

The government’s counsel informed the court that the state was preparing to conduct the elections and sought one week to secure further instructions. The Bench agreed to adjourn to November 11 but cautioned the government’s counsel: “If you believe you will have an answer in one week, well and good, we will adjourn it for one week. If you don’t believe you will be able to get instructions, we can give you more time. But you have to come with an answer.”