BBMP polls not possible before May, says Govt

Files interlocutory application before HC

In an interlocutory application before the High Court, the Urban Development Department has submitted that though the State had no intention to delay the elections, it is practically difficult to conduct polls between March 18 and March 31.

Citing the Election Commission letter to the High Court stating that no elections can be held during the exams, the State has submitted that it intends to conduct elections at the earliest, but is unable to provide required assistance and time.

The application says that the PUC Examinations are scheduled between March 18- April 3, while the SSLC exams are between April 1 and April 9.

Further the application said the Secondary school exams and Senior Secondary School exams are scheduled between March 5 and March 31 and March 31 and April 8.

Teachers are necessary to conduct elections. They cannot be deployed for polls during exams. The application said, of the 6060 polling booths in the BBMP limits 3849 are private institute buildings and 2211 are government institute buildings. They cannot be spared for polls during the examinations.

The State mentioning about the ongoing assembly session between February 25 and March 8 says that it cannot conduct polls during this time. If the process starts by April 20, polls can be held by May 15, the application said.