S. SHANKAR Vs. ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mr. P.S.Narasimha, learned senior counsel appearing for the Election Commission of India concedes that the tenure of the local bodies had come to an end in 2018-19. This Court has granted four months' time to delimit the nine newly constituted districts in accordance with law and thereafter hold elections for their panchayats at the village intermediate and district levels on 6.12.2019. Instead of four months' time, the respondents have taken a little more than eighteen months and now seeks 6months' time to complete the exercise of conducting elections.

(2.) We grant extension of time till 15th September, 2021 to complete the entire process including publication/notification of election schedule and the result thereof before 15th September, 2021 as the constitutional mandate to conduct elections in the time bound manner cannot be defeated in this manner.

(3.) Miscellaneous Application stands disposed of.