"We will complete all local body elections by December": Karnataka CM after SC extends GBA poll timeline due to SIR
New Delhi, July 17
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said the state government is committed to holding the Greater Bengaluru Authority elections in December, following the Supreme Court's decision to extend the timeline due to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
He also said the government aims to complete elections to all local bodies, including Zilla Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats, Gram Panchayats, and municipal corporations, by the end of this year.
Speaking to the reporters in the national capital, Karnataka CM said, "AICC office is our temple. We have grown with this. It is my duty to come and meet the General Secretary in the temple itself... Today there was a big decision in the Supreme Court on the local body elections of Bangalore GBA... We at no point of time will postpone it."
"We will complete not only this election, all the Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat, and Gram Panchayat and all the municipal corporations; I will see that by this December, all the elections will be completed. My duty is to see that all the young new people are given an opportunity," he further said.
His remark comes after the Supreme Court allowed more time to conduct elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which comprises five municipal corporations, in view of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The court directed that the civic body elections be held in December. Earlier, it had extended the deadline for the elections from June 30 to August 31.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission extended the deadlines for the enumeration period and subsequently the publication of the final list in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi, Punjab, Telangana and Karnataka.
In the national capital and Karnataka, the enumeration period has been extended from July 29 to August 8. The draft electoral rolls will now be published on August 17 against the previous deadline of August 5.
The claims and objection period will be August 17 to September 16, and the final lists will be published on October 19, 12 days after the previous deadline of October 7.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move by CM Shivakumar but I wish they'd prioritize faster implementation. We've been hearing about 'elections soon' since last year. The common man just wants roads without potholes and proper waste management - politics should serve people, not just parties.
This SIR extension makes sense - accurate voter lists are fundamental for fair elections. But let's see if they actually meet December deadline given how past promises have slipped. Also, 'AICC office is our temple' - interesting choice of words from CM! 😅
Great to see SC pushing for timely local body polls. Karnataka needs young leaders to tackle urban challenges - water crisis, traffic, and garbage. Hope CM's promise to 'give opportunity to new people' isn't just rhetoric but actual inclusive governance! ✊
As someone living near Bengaluru, I appreciate the effort but December feels too far. Why can't they hold elections faster? The SIR process could run parallel to election prep. Just feels like another way to kick the can down the road. Political will is what matters.
Interesting how Delhi and Karnataka both got SIR extensions - seems like a coordinated push for cleaner rolls nationally. But local elections matter most for daily life. Let's hope the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat polls get equal attention. Power to the people! 🗳️
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