GBA polls: Karnataka SEC appeals to Supreme Court for extension of deadline by 3 months

The Karnataka State Election Commission that had recently said civic polls in Bengaluru will be held between June 14 and 24, has now filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking extension of time till September 30 to hold the polls “in the interests of justice and equity”.

It said GBA’s request for extension of the deadline citing National Census-2024 and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is “bona fide”. 

The term of the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council expired in September 2020 and there have been no elections since then. The Supreme Court had, in January 2026, set a June 30 deadline for the civic polls in the city. However, the Chief Commissioner, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), has sought extension of this deadline by three months citing Census and SIR both scheduled in April-May.

The SEC, in its application before the apex court, said: “The concerns expressed by the State government authorities prima facie appear to be genuine as the Union government ordered Census, and SIR is occupying the entire time and logistics of the authorities who are also entrusted with the responsibilities of assisting the State Election Commission to conduct the elections. Hence, there is delay in holding the elections and the extension of time sought is bona fide.”

“Due to the deployment of the 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 with the State government. It is therefore, most humbly prayed that an additional 3 months’ time may kindly be granted by this Hon’ble Court for concluding the elections,” it further said. 

However, the SEC repeatedly emphasised that they had taken measures to hold elections within the deadline. “It is submitted and reiterated again that the State Election Commission has taken proactive steps to conclude the elections as directed by this Hon’ble Court,” the application said. The SEC further said it turned down request for more time by the GBA and the State government twice. It said the GBA Commissioner, who is also the District Election Officer for the city, requested extension of the deadline even during the May 8 consultative meeting.