India, Nov. 26 -- With the Supreme Court deferring the hearing in the case relating to quotas in local bodies to Friday, the state election commission (SEC) says the polls could be delayed. The SEC says it would take eight days to rework the quotas alone. Phase one of the polls was to kick off on December 2 but this may not be possible now.

Of the 288 bodies scheduled for elections on December 2, 57 have breached the 50% ceiling on reservations. The remaining two phases of the elections are yet to be notified.

The Supreme Court is hearing over 15 petitions, which have challenged a breach in the 50% cap on reservations in local bodies. Reservations pertain to quotas for OBCs, SCs and STs.

While deferring the hearing to Friday, the court...