SEC for BBMP polls in May or June

AG seeks 45 days time; administrator should not be allowed to take policy decisions

During the hearing of the plea on BBMP polls, the SEC, in its submission, expressed its inability to conduct elections immediately as the state government had not released its reservation of wards list. SEC counsel K Phanindra argued that it would be difficult to conduct elections as it would be examination time and schools and staff could not be used for polls. He also argued that the Gram Panchayat elections to 90,000 seats were slated to be held in April and it would not be possible to hold the corporation elections simultaneously. The SEC sought time till May end or June to conduct the elections.
Arguing on behalf of the respondents, Prof Raviverma Kumar said that the Court should direct an audit of the BBMP and declare the continuation of the administrator as unconstitutional and illegal to force them to conduct elections. He also said that the administrator should be stopped from making any policy decisions and incurring any expenditure.

He argued that preparing the reservation list was a simple exercise that could be completed in two to three days time and 40 days time was sufficient extension, as that was the time lost due to the Special Leave Petitions (SLP) filed in the apex court.
He also said that if the government's keenness on conducting the elections were true, then it pointed out that the Government was unable to fulfill its obligation under the constitutional provisions and it amounted to breakdown of the constitutional machinery.
The petitioners' counsel also took exception to the Government giving power and water scarcity as reason for seeking an extension.

Advocate General Ashok Haranahalli sought an extension of 45 days for the purpose of issuing the final notification for reservation of wards.
Ashok Haranahalli said that it was the State government's policy to reserve the wards as per the assembly-wise census. However, as the single judge struck down the order, the election could not be held earlier.
DH News Service