Local elections to go as per schedule, says Kerala HC

In a blow to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala, the High Court on Thursday gave the go-ahead to the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct the local body elections on schedule. A division bench of the court refused to overturn a single bench verdict that partially stayed the state government’s decision to delimit local bodies to form new village panchayats, citing procedural errors.

In effect, the division bench order nullifies formation of 69 new panchayats and four new municipalities. The court also directed the government to assist the SEC in conducting the election on schedule. The SEC had submitted in the court that a fresh delimitation exercise would delay the election. The poll is tentatively scheduled for October and new councils are expected to assume office on November 1.