CH NEWS
BENGALURU
The Governor’s Secretariat has urged the Karnataka government to ensure that the Bengaluru local body elections are conducted before June 30, in line with directions issued by the Supreme Court, and has called for immediate allocation of funds, manpower and logistical support to the State Election Commission (SEC).
In a communication dated May 13 addressed to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Special Secretary to the Governor R. Prabhu Shankar referred to a memorandum submitted by the State Legal Cell of the Janata Dal (Secular) along with a group of advocates seeking the Governor’s intervention in ensuring smooth conduct of the elections.
The letter highlighted the Supreme Court’s directive instructing the State Election Commission to complete the Bengaluru civic election process before June 30. The Governor’s Secretariat noted that failure to comply with the court’s order could invite contempt proceedings and lead to legal complications for the authorities concerned.
According to the communication, both the Karnataka government and the SEC share equal responsibility in ensuring that the elections are held within the stipulated timeline. The Governor’s office stressed that adherence to the apex court’s instructions was mandatory and any delay could adversely affect democratic governance in urban local bodies.
The Secretariat also underlined the constitutional significance of conducting timely civic polls under the provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which mandates democratic functioning of urban local governance institutions. It stated that prolonged delays in elections may weaken public confidence and undermine democratic rights of citizens.
The letter further pointed out that delays in local body elections could also impact the release of certain Central grants linked to elected urban local bodies, thereby affecting urban development and civic administration.
The Governor’s office specifically asked the state government to provide adequate financial assistance, manpower and administrative support to the State Election Commission to enable smooth conduct of the elections without operational hurdles.
The communication urged the Chief Secretary to take immediate steps to ensure that the SEC receives all necessary support required for completing the Bengaluru local body elections within the deadline fixed by the Supreme Court.
The issue assumes significance amid ongoing political and administrative discussions surrounding the proposed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) structure and the long-pending civic elections in the city. Political parties and civil society groups have repeatedly demanded early elections, arguing that Bengaluru has remained without an elected municipal body for an extended period.