Today, the Supreme Court declined to stay the panchayat elections in Punjab, noting that polling has already commenced in the state.

The matter was presented to a Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

“How can we stay it now? The polls must have started! If we issue a stay, there will be complete chaos. Staying the conduct of elections is a serious matter,” the Chief Justice remarked.

An advocate representing the petitioners described the situation as “unusual.” However, the Court responded that the appropriate remedy would be to file an election petition in the High Court, emphasizing that staying elections is a drastic measure. 

“This is an unusual democracy where we value elections. You have remedies available in an election petition. We will not stay the elections, especially now that they have begun. If we were to grant a stay, someone might want to stay parliamentary elections next. We will list the matter but will not issue any interim stay,” the Chief Justice clarified.

The appeal to the Supreme Court challenged a decision by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which on Monday dismissed around 800 petitions alleging irregularities in the panchayat elections.

*The Tribune* reported that most petitions claimed irregularities in the nomination process. The High Court, while refusing to stay the elections, ordered videography of the panchayat elections to ensure transparency.

The Punjab government argued before the High Court that the petitions were not maintainable, as the petitioners should have filed election petitions instead.