<p>Bengaluru: State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Monday announced that the state poll body would begin the Bengaluru civic body election process from November 1, in line with the Supreme Court’s directive to the state government to complete both delimitation and the reservation matrix by that date.</p>.<p>He expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay in holding elections to local bodies, including the civic bodies in Bengaluru, zilla and taluk panchayats.</p>.<p><strong>Govt’s affidavit </strong></p>.<p>Sangreshi told reporters that the matter was currently being heard in the Supreme Court, and with the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act now in force, the state has submitted an affidavit promising to complete the required processes by November 1.</p>.<p>The SEC has also filed its affidavit, seeking two to three months from that date to prepare for the elections. </p>.<p>“Based on these affidavits, the Supreme Court has directed the government to complete its part by November 1 and asked the SEC to begin preparations accordingly. We will start the process from that date,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Electoral rolls</strong></p>.<p>However, Sangreshi flagged a key ambiguity in the Greater Bengaluru Act, which does not specify whether the 2023 Assembly electoral rolls could be used or whether the SEC must prepare a new one.</p>.<p>“The Act is silent on this matter,” he said, adding that he had written to the <br>additional chief secretary, urban development, seeking clarity.</p>.<p>“We have the capacity to create voter rolls within the framework of the Act,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Panchayat polls</strong></p>.<p>Sangreshi highlighted that Bengaluru civic body polls and ZP/TP elections had not been held for five years.</p>.<p>Despite two affidavits filed by the state in the High Court — December 2023 and June 2024 — assuring the submission of reservation lists, it failed to deliver. As a result, the SEC has filed a restoration petition to revive contempt charges against officials responsible.</p>.<p>Nearly 6,000 gram panchayats will be due for elections by January 2026. The SEC had asked the rural development and panchayat raj department to submit reservation lists by June-end, in line with Supreme Court guidelines, but despite repeated reminders, the list hasn’t been released.</p>.<p>The SEC now plans to file a writ petition in the HC, either to allow elections based on the existing reservation matrix or to compel the state to submit the list promptly.</p>.<p><strong>Five corporations</strong></p>.<p>Additionally, elections to five corporations — Mysuru, Tumakuru, Davangere, Shivamogga and Mangaluru — have been pending for two years. A petition filed in April is expected to be heard this week.</p>.<p>With the terms of 197 local bodies ending by November, and five Town Panchayats — in Kolar, Chikkamagaluru, Haveri, Dakshina Kannada and Kalaburagi — going to polls for the first time, the state election commissioner stressed the urgent need for the government to act (provide necessary lists to initiate the process).</p>.<p>“We are ready to conduct elections. Governance will collapse if delays continue,” he warned.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Monday announced that the state poll body would begin the Bengaluru civic body election process from November 1, in line with the Supreme Court’s directive to the state government to complete both delimitation and the reservation matrix by that date.</p>.<p>He expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay in holding elections to local bodies, including the civic bodies in Bengaluru, zilla and taluk panchayats.</p>.<p><strong>Govt’s affidavit </strong></p>.<p>Sangreshi told reporters that the matter was currently being heard in the Supreme Court, and with the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act now in force, the state has submitted an affidavit promising to complete the required processes by November 1.</p>.<p>The SEC has also filed its affidavit, seeking two to three months from that date to prepare for the elections. </p>.<p>“Based on these affidavits, the Supreme Court has directed the government to complete its part by November 1 and asked the SEC to begin preparations accordingly. We will start the process from that date,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Electoral rolls</strong></p>.<p>However, Sangreshi flagged a key ambiguity in the Greater Bengaluru Act, which does not specify whether the 2023 Assembly electoral rolls could be used or whether the SEC must prepare a new one.</p>.<p>“The Act is silent on this matter,” he said, adding that he had written to the <br>additional chief secretary, urban development, seeking clarity.</p>.<p>“We have the capacity to create voter rolls within the framework of the Act,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Panchayat polls</strong></p>.<p>Sangreshi highlighted that Bengaluru civic body polls and ZP/TP elections had not been held for five years.</p>.<p>Despite two affidavits filed by the state in the High Court — December 2023 and June 2024 — assuring the submission of reservation lists, it failed to deliver. As a result, the SEC has filed a restoration petition to revive contempt charges against officials responsible.</p>.<p>Nearly 6,000 gram panchayats will be due for elections by January 2026. The SEC had asked the rural development and panchayat raj department to submit reservation lists by June-end, in line with Supreme Court guidelines, but despite repeated reminders, the list hasn’t been released.</p>.<p>The SEC now plans to file a writ petition in the HC, either to allow elections based on the existing reservation matrix or to compel the state to submit the list promptly.</p>.<p><strong>Five corporations</strong></p>.<p>Additionally, elections to five corporations — Mysuru, Tumakuru, Davangere, Shivamogga and Mangaluru — have been pending for two years. A petition filed in April is expected to be heard this week.</p>.<p>With the terms of 197 local bodies ending by November, and five Town Panchayats — in Kolar, Chikkamagaluru, Haveri, Dakshina Kannada and Kalaburagi — going to polls for the first time, the state election commissioner stressed the urgent need for the government to act (provide necessary lists to initiate the process).</p>.<p>“We are ready to conduct elections. Governance will collapse if delays continue,” he warned.</p>
