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GBA Elections: SEC Sets June 14–24 Window; Final Dates to be Announced Next Week

By Bhavana Gowda
GBA Elections: SEC Sets June 14–24 Window; Final Dates to be Announced Next Week

With the June 30 deadline looming, Bengaluru residents can expect the official election notification in the coming days, marking a critical step in the city's new administrative restructuring under the GBA.

BENGALURU: The State Election Commission (SEC) has signaled that the long-awaited elections for the five corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) are imminent. State Election Commissioner G. S. Sangreshi indicated on Friday that the polls will likely be held between June 14 and June 24, emphasizing that any further delay is legally impossible.

No Scope for Postponement

The Commission has made it clear that the timeline is non-negotiable due to judicial mandates.

Supreme Court Directives: The SEC must file a compliance report with the Supreme Court by June 30.

Legal Mandate: Under the provisions of the GBA Act, the process to fix the schedule has already been initiated.

Official Consultation: The Commission has already consulted with the five corporation commissioners and formally written to the government regarding the exercise.

Challenges vs. Compliance

During recent high-level meetings, GBA officials raised several practical concerns and requested an extension of time. The issues flagged include:

Environmental & Academic Factors: Ongoing monsoon rains and scheduled examinations.

Administrative Hurdles: Shortage of manpower, the census exercise, and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

However, Commissioner Sangreshi clarified that the SEC does not have the power to extend the timeline. He noted that the meeting was strictly for fixing dates, not for discussing term extensions, as "final indulgence" has already been granted by the court.

Government Input Awaited

While the SEC has requested the state government to suggest specific dates within the June 14–24 window, the Commission is prepared to move forward independently if necessary. "Whether they give dates or not is left to them," Sangreshi stated, adding that the final election schedule will be officially locked in within one week. With the June 30 deadline looming, Bengaluru residents can expect the official election notification in the coming days, marking a critical step in the city's new administrative restructuring under the GBA.