The Uttarakhand High Court has stayed the conduct of the upcoming three-tier Panchayat elections, citing procedural lapses in the notification of reservation rules.

The interim order was passed in response to multiple petitions challenging the elections on the ground that no duly notified reservation policy had been published prior to the announcement of polling dates.

The State Election Commission had recently declared elections would be held in two phases. However, petitioners contended that proceeding without a formally notified reservation framework for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women—as mandated under Part IX of the Constitution and the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2016—would violate constitutional and statutory provisions.

Taking cognisance of these concerns, the Bench headed by the Chief Justice observed that the absence of a gazetted reservation policy warranted judicial intervention. The Court emphasized that electoral processes must adhere strictly to constitutional mandates, particularly those ensuring adequate representation for marginalized groups.

In response to the litigation, the State Government informed the Court that steps were underway to finalise and publish the Reservation Rules, 2025. It assured the Bench that the necessary gazette notification would be promptly submitted for judicial scrutiny.

Following the hearing, the High Court directed the State to file a detailed reply along with the relevant documentation. Until such time, it ordered a stay on the Panchayat election process. The government has been specifically instructed to ensure publication of the reservation rules in the official gazette before any further steps in the electoral process are undertaken.

Secretary, Panchayati Raj, Chandresh Kumar, confirmed that the gazette notification is currently under process at the Government Press in Roorkee. “It will be issued shortly and placed before the Hon’ble Court for further direction,” he stated, adding that the Press has been instructed to expedite the issuance of a copy for submission.

The matter remains pending before the Nainital High Court, with further proceedings scheduled following the submission of the gazette notification.