Overview
- A division bench of the Rajasthan High Court told the State Election Commission to publish a schedule for Panchayat and urban local body polls within five days and asked the state to file a detailed roadmap by July 20.
- State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh told the court the SEC is logistically ready and can notify dates within two days of receiving completed reservation lists from the government.
- Rajasthan departments told the SEC that the OBC Commission’s report is expected only by August 14 and that a subsequent lottery for seat reservations would follow, a timeline the court said clashes with its expectations.
- The court repeatedly warned it could initiate contempt proceedings or appoint another competent authority, including a retired judge, if the SEC or state fail to meet the court’s directions.
- Local leaders have criticised the delay and petitioners led by former MLA Sanyam Lodha have driven the litigation; local‑body polls are constitutionally required under Article 243K and earlier court orders had set April 15 and then July 31 deadlines this year.