Will Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Elections Be Held on Time? Delay Looms Over OBC Reservation Hurdle

Uncertainty is mounting over the timely conduct of the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat elections scheduled for 2026, as crucial preparatory steps remain incomplete despite repeated assurances from the state government. With barely a few months left for the proposed April–May polls, the delay in constituting a Dedicated Backward Classes (OBC) Commission has emerged as the single biggest obstacle, fuelling speculation that the elections may be postponed.

Although the State Election Commission has completed the voter list revision process and released the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) list, the election process cannot move forward without the finalisation of seat reservations. The absence of a Dedicated OBC Commission has stalled the reservation exercise, a mandatory constitutional requirement for conducting Panchayat elections.

Core Issue: OBC Reservation Deadlock

The three-tier Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh are facing uncertainty primarily because the government has not yet constituted a Dedicated OBC Commission. Without the commission’s recommendations, the process of determining OBC reservation in Panchayats cannot be completed, directly impacting the election schedule.

As per constitutional norms, reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) is based on population data from the 2011 Census. In Uttar Pradesh, SCs account for 20.6982% and STs for 0.5677% of the population, and seats are reserved accordingly.

However, the 2011 Census did not record the population percentage of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), making their reservation a complex issue. The Supreme Court has clearly mandated that OBC reservation in local body elections must be based on empirical data collected by a dedicated commission. Until such a commission submits its report, OBC reservation cannot be legally finalised.

Government Assurance vs Ground Reality

Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has reiterated that the state government is fully committed to holding the Panchayat elections on time, asserting that polls will be conducted as scheduled in April–May 2026. He has stated that preparations are underway and there is no reason for delay.

On the administrative front, the Panchayati Raj Department has sent a proposal to the state government for the formation of a six-member Dedicated OBC Commission. However, no final decision has been taken so far, raising serious questions about whether the remaining formalities can be completed within the limited time frame.

OBC Survey and Legal Constraints

A rapid survey conducted in 2015 had estimated that OBCs constitute nearly 53.33% of the rural population in Uttar Pradesh. However, this data alone is insufficient under current legal standards. The Supreme Court has made it clear that OBC reservation in Panchayat elections must be backed by a fresh, commission-led empirical study, followed by a reasoned recommendation.

Until this process is completed, issuing a reservation notification would risk legal challenges, potentially derailing the entire election process.

Clock Ticking as Tenure Nears End

With the tenure of existing Panchayat representatives nearing completion, the pressure on the government is intensifying. If the Dedicated OBC Commission is not constituted promptly and its report is not submitted in time, the government may have no option but to revise the election schedule.

As things stand, speculation over a possible postponement is growing stronger by the day. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Uttar Pradesh can conduct its Panchayat elections on time or whether procedural delays will force a deferral, setting the stage for political and legal scrutiny.