Delimitation Process for Local Body Elections in Maharashtra Begins After Supreme Court Directive

Mumbai/Pune, 15th May 2025: The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has formally directed the state’s urban and rural development departments to initiate the delimitation process for local body elections, following the Supreme Court’s latest ruling clearing the path for long-pending polls.

A senior SEC official confirmed that the commission began acting on the apex court’s order issued late Tuesday evening. “Instructions have been sent to the respective departments to begin the delimitation exercise for municipal corporations, nagar parishads, nagar panchayats, zilla parishads, and panchayat samitis,” the official said.

The delimitation process is expected to take around 40 days. During this period, local governing bodies have been asked to issue necessary notifications for ward formation without delay.

This move comes after the Supreme Court upheld the status quo on the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation as it existed in July 2022, removing the legal uncertainty that had delayed local elections across the state for over two years.

“We are also in the process of consulting senior legal experts regarding the implementation of OBC reservation,” the SEC official added. “There are differing views on whether to enforce a flat 27% quota, go by the 2021 ordinance which caps the total reservation at 50%, or adopt the ‘triple test’ formula as outlined by the Supreme Court in December 2021. Legal clarity is essential before finalising the reservation framework.”

Following the completion of delimitation, the commission will prepare the reservation rosters and ward-wise electoral rolls. The SEC will also evaluate the feasibility of conducting elections within the four-month window set by the court. This assessment will take into account the availability of EVMs, polling personnel, and seasonal factors.

“No decision has been made yet on requesting an extension. We will take a call on that only after the delimitation phase concludes,” the official said.
The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh reinforced the constitutional mandate for timely local elections. The court reiterated that OBC representation must be maintained as it existed prior to the Banthia Commission’s findings, which had recommended a 27% quota.
Meanwhile, civic officials have expressed concerns about the practical challenges of holding elections during the monsoon. Although no formal communication has been received from the SEC yet, internal discussions are already underway.

“Most of our staff is deployed for flood control and disaster management during the rainy season. Conducting elections at that time could severely stretch our resources,” a senior Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) official told Punekar News.

A Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) official echoed similar concerns. “Over the last few years, August and September have seen severe flooding in Pune. In 2024, we even had to call in Army and NDRF teams to manage the situation,” he said.

In fact, Pune recorded its highest August rainfall in more than ten years last year, while September 25 saw one of the wettest days in recent history.
Legislative Council Speaker Ram Shinde also weighed in on the issue during a visit to Kolhapur. “While the Supreme Court’s order must be followed, the monsoon season is approaching. Smooth elections are everyone’s goal, and the government should assess whether the rains will hinder the process,” he said.

As the delimitation process moves forward, the SEC’s decisions on ward boundaries, reservation structure, and polling timelines are expected to significantly shape the civic election schedule in Maharashtra.