In what could be the first test of popularity for the ruling AIADMK after the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the Madras High Court on Friday ordered conduct of local body elections in the state by November 17.

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The Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC) was ordered to issue a notification by September 18 and complete the entire election process by November 17.

The First Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar passed the order on a batch of writ appeals including the one preferred by TNSEC challenging a single judge's order on the issue and another filed by DMK praying for the conduct of elections at the earliest. However, the judges made it clear that this would be subject to the outcome of special leave petitions pending in the Supreme Court on the matter.

The bench had reserved its orders on August 1 after going through a report submitted in the sealed cover by the TNSEC complying with the court's July 26 directive. The polls were slated to be held on October 17 and 19 last year but cancelled by Justice N Kirubakaran on a petition by DMK seeking among others appropriate reservation as per latest census and rotation of seats according to the norms.

Opposition parties had been criticising the state government over the delay in the conduct of the local body elections.