Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday asked the state government to clarify by when the gram panchayat elections would be conducted.

Hearing a batch of six petitions, including one filed by a former sarpanch from Nalgonda district, the court questioned the government’s failure to hold the polls despite a commitment made in February last year.

Petitioners’ counsel informed the bench that the term of sarpanches across Telangana ended on 1 February 2024, and that of MPTC members would end on 5 July 2024. They pointed out that under election norms, polls must be conducted within six months of term expiry, but the government’s delay had stalled the process.

During the hearing, the state government sought 30 more days, while the State Election Commission asked for 60 days, citing the need to complete reservation procedures and ward delimitation.

The Commission’s counsel said a letter had already been sent to the government requesting clearance to begin the electoral process. Once approval is granted, elections would require a two-month preparation period.

Petitioners’ lawyers argued that the government had already committed to holding the elections in February last year but had made no progress since.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its judgment.