The Karnataka State Election Commission recently said that the civic polls in Bengaluru will be held between June 14 and 24. Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
The Karnataka State Election Commission, which had recently said that the Bengaluru civic polls would be held between June 14 and 24, has now filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an extension to September 30 to hold the polls “in the interest of fairness and justice”.
It said the GBA’s request to extend the deadline with reference to the National Census-2024 and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls is “in good faith”.
The tenure of the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) board expired in September 2020 and no elections have been held since then. In January 2026, the Supreme Court set the date for holding civic elections in the city on June 30. However, the Chief Commissioner, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), has sought an extension of this deadline by three months, citing the census and SIR, which are scheduled for April-May.
In its petition in the apex court, the SEC said, “The apprehensions expressed by the state government authorities prima facie appear to be genuine as the Union Government has ordered the census and the SIR is occupying all the time and logistics of the authorities who are also entrusted with the responsibility of assisting the State Election Commission in conducting the elections. Hence, the delay in holding the elections and extension of the election period is a boon.”
“Due to the deployment of manpower by the state government for the purpose of conducting census, special intensive revision of electoral rolls, etc., the required manpower and logistics may be unavailable in the state government. Therefore, we very humbly pray that this Hon’ble Court may kindly grant another 3 months,” he further said to conclude the election.
However, the SEC has repeatedly emphasized that it has taken measures to hold elections within the stipulated period. “It is submitted and reiterated that the State Election Commission has taken proactive steps to conclude the elections as directed by this honorable court,” the petition said. The SEC further said that it has twice rejected the GBA and the state government’s request for more time. She said the GBA commissioner, who is also the city’s district election officer, asked for the deadline extension during the May 8 advisory meeting.
Published – 11 May 2026 21:18 IST
