New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct local body elections in the State by January 31, 2026.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also directed the authorities in Maharashtra to complete the delimitation exercise in the State by October 10, this year.

The top court also took exception to the fact that despite its reasoned order issued on May 6 directing the State Election Commission to notify local body polls in Maharashtra within four weeks and to conduct elections within four months, the State Election Commission failed to act promptly in this regard.

The Court has now granted an extension to the State authorities by pre...