The Supreme Court lashed out on the Maharashtra Election Commission on Thursday, for re-scheduling the polls for 367 local bodies, which had already been notified, apparently to grant OBC reservation.
The Apex Court observed that the Election Commission cannot interfere with the elections that have been already notified. It said at the most, the dates can only be re-aligned, but not re-scheduled.
The top court of the country flayed the election body for re-scheduling the polls, despite being told not to do so.
Even as the preparations started for elections in 271 gram panchayats, polls for 92 Municipal Councils and four Nagar Panchayats were stayed. The state election panel was directed by the Apex Court to conduct polls in these areas without the OBC quota.
The State Election Commission cannot re-notify polls and if they do, it would amount to contempt of court, observed the Apex Court.