The Nainital High Court’s division bench—Chief Justice G. Narendra and Justice Alok Mehra—reviewed the government’s reservation roster and related documents and permitted the election process to continue.
This decision overturned the court’s June 23 stay, which had paused elections just 2 days after they were announced on June 21, citing concerns over reservation criteria and other technical issues.
“After hearing the arguments of both parties, the court refused to stay the elections for the time being and clarified that the election process can move forward,” the court order stated.
Election Phases
Under the powers conferred by Article 243-K of the Constitution, the SEC notification lays out a two-phase polling schedule:
- Phase I Voting: July 24
- Phase II Voting: July 28
- Counting of Votes: July 31
- These dates apply to elections for:
- Members of all Gram Panchayats
- Pradhans (heads) of Gram Panchayats
- Members of Area Panchayats
- Members of District Panchayats
Nomination Timeline
Prospective candidates must adhere to the following nomination schedule:
- Filing of Nomination Papers: July 2–5
- Scrutiny of Nominations: July 7–9
- Withdrawal of Nominations: July 10–11
This structured timetable gives the SEC and political contestants a clear roadmap to prepare for the polls.
From Stay To Interim Relief
The initial stay order by the High Court had dealt a major setback to the state government’s electoral plans, putting reservation quotas and procedural legality under judicial scrutiny. Petitioners had raised several technical and constitutional objections, prompting the court to seek detailed explanations before allowing elections to proceed.
During Friday’s hearing, state government advocates assured the bench that “full preparations have been made for the panchayat elections and the legal process has been followed.” Satisfied with the government’s responses, the court granted interim relief, allowing polling preparations to resume immediately.
Exemption Of Haridwar District
Notably, Haridwar district has been excluded from this notification. The SEC’s order specifies that elections in Haridwar will follow a separate schedule or may await resolution of distinct legal or administrative issues not covered in the June 28 notification.
Implications
With the High Court’s stay lifted and election dates firmly in place, district election officers must now finalize polling personnel, security arrangements, and ballot logistics. Meanwhile, political parties and independent candidates have just over a week to complete their nomination formalities.
The prompt resolution of legal hurdles and adherence to the SEC’s timetable underscore the state’s commitment to grassroots democracy. As Uttarakhand prepares for its first round of rural polls, stakeholders will closely watch whether the smooth conduct of elections in July can restore confidence after the recent procedural hiccups.
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