In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed the prolonged non-conduct of elections in over 23,000 local bodies in Madhya Pradesh, with the State citing ongoing delimitation and OBC reservation (triple test) compliance as justifications for delay. Striking down this reasoning, the Court held that the constitutional mandate under Articles 243-E and 243-U requires elected bodies to be installed within five years, and this cannot be delayed by administrative exercises like delimitation or triple test procedures. The State Election Commission must immediately notify election programmes based on existing ward delimitations, proceeding without OBC reservations until triple test compliance is complete in all respects. Future elections after compliance may incorporate OBC reservations accordingly.
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