Tamil Nadu has extended the tenure of special officers administering rural local bodies in 28 districts and appointed special officers in 9 more districts till April 19, 2027.
The elected representatives’ terms in 28 districts ended on January 5, 2025, after which special officers were appointed.
The terms of elected representatives in the remaining 9 districts ended on October 19, 2026.
Elections could not be held because 46 rural local bodies are being merged with urban local bodies, which will change local-body boundaries.
Delimitation and reservation must be completed in 23 districts before rural local body elections can be conducted.
The government has notified 9 new panchayat unions, 93 new village panchayats and the amalgamation of 1 village panchayat.
Special officers will administer village panchayats, panchayat union councils and district panchayats until April 19, 2027.