Mon Jun 23 17:54:11 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Uttarakhand High Court has halted the upcoming panchayat elections following petitions challenging the reservation rotation process. The decision, made on June 23, 2025, by a Division Bench, puts the elections, originally scheduled for July 10 and 15, on hold until further notice. The state government says it will comply with the court’s order and is working to address concerns about the reservation system by issuing a gazette notification of the relevant rules.

**News Article:**

**Uttarakhand Panchayat Elections Halted by High Court Amid Reservation Dispute**

**New Delhi, June 23, 2025** – The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a stay on the upcoming panchayat elections, citing concerns over the reservation rotation process. The decision, announced late Monday, throws the scheduled elections into uncertainty.

A Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice G. Narendar and Justice Alok Mehra, issued the stay after hearing petitions challenging the state’s reservation policies for the three-tier elections. The elections were originally slated to be held in two phases on July 10 and 15.

“The stay will remain in force until further orders,” the Bench stated in its ruling.

The announcement comes after the State Election Commission issued the poll notification on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and as the model code of conduct was already in effect in urban areas across 12 districts. Results were expected to be announced on July 19.

Chandresh Kumar, Secretary of Panchayati Raj, Uttarakhand, assured that the government would comply with the High Court’s order. “The process of issuing a gazette notification of rules related to the reservation system in panchayat polls was in progress,” Kumar stated. “The copy of the gazette notification of Reservation Rules 2025 is being sent to the Government Press, Roorkee, for printing, which will be issued soon and presented before the High Court so that proper judicial guidance can be obtained.”

Kumar emphasized the state government’s commitment to operating the Panchayati Raj system in a manner consistent with the Constitution and the law, while respecting the instructions of the court. The situation remains fluid, and the future of the panchayat elections hangs in the balance as the government works to address the concerns raised regarding reservation policies.

Read More