HC seeks explanation on BBMP elections

The Karnataka High Court today ordered the state government to file an explanation over its ‘failure’ to comply with its March 31 directive to hold elections to the city corporation, Bruhut Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), by this July.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice A S Bopanna passed the orders while hearing an interim application filed by the State Election Commission (SEC) seeking extension of time by eight weeks to hold elections. SEC submitted that the Commission could hold elections after eight weeks only if the state government completed the reservation of roster for the BBMP wards. It also submitted that the delay was due to delay in issue of notification on delimitation of wards.

The judges observed that the state government had sought extension of time earlier and the court while granting time had ordered that no further extension would be granted.

Despite this, the state government had not performed its job and hence the delay in holding the elections, SEC contended.

The bench adjourned further hearing to July 23.