New Delhi / Bengaluru: The Supreme Court of India has issued clear directions that elections to the five newly created city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) must be notified by May 26, 2026, and concluded by June 30, 2026, bringing an end to prolonged delays in Bengaluru’s civic governance.
The direction is recorded in the ongoing matter arising out of SLP (Civil) Nos. 15181–15183 of 2020 – State of Karnataka vs. M. Shivaraju & Others, where the Karnataka Government has filed a detailed Status Report Affidavit outlining compliance with statutory and constitutional requirements.
The affidavit categorically clarifies that the elections are no longer for BBMP, but for five separate city corporations created under the Greater Bengaluru Governance framework:
- Bengaluru Central City Corporation
- Bengaluru East City Corporation
- Bengaluru West City Corporation
- Bengaluru North City Corporation
- Bengaluru South City Corporation
This structural change and its legal consequences form the backdrop of the delay examined by the Supreme Court.
Ward Delimitation Completed
The State informed the Court that:
- The Ward Delimitation Commission submitted its final report on November 10, 2025
- Final ward delimitation notifications were published on November 19, 2025, for all five city corporations
These notifications are annexed to the affidavit and form the foundational step for elections.
Final Ward Reservations — February 20
As per the election preparation schedule placed before the Court:
- Draft ward reservation notifications were issued on January 8, 2026
- Public objections were invited for 15 days
- The final ward reservations are scheduled to be published on February 20, 2026
This step is crucial as reservation finalisation is a constitutional prerequisite for urban local body elections.
Final Voters List — March 16
The State Election Commission (SEC), Karnataka, through its revised circular dated November 24, 2025, has laid down a ward-wise electoral roll schedule for the “General Elections of 05 City Corporations of Greater Bengaluru Authority.”
As per the SEC calendar:
- Draft rolls, claims and objections will be processed through early 2026
- Final publication of ward-wise voters’ lists is fixed for March 16, 2026
Why Polls Are After March: SSLC & PUC Exams
The State has also informed the Supreme Court that SSLC (Class 10) and II PUC (Class 12) examinations during March–April are a key administrative constraint.
Holding elections during this period would severely impact:
- Availability of teachers as polling staff
- Examination logistics and evaluation schedules
This factor has been cited as a legitimate reason for scheduling polling after the exam season, and the Court has taken note of this explanation.
Supreme Court’s Binding Deadline
Taking all factors into account, the Supreme Court has directed:
- Election Notification: on or before May 26, 2026
- Completion of Elections: by June 30, 2026
The Court has made it clear that elected local bodies cannot be postponed indefinitely and that compliance with this timeline is mandatory.
Sources: Schedule Likely in Second Week of May
Highly placed sources in the election machinery indicate that:
- The detailed election schedule is likely to be announced in the second week of May
- Polling is expected in the second or third week of May, subject to SEC notification and court monitoring
Any deviation from the Supreme Court-mandated outer limit of June 30 may invite strict judicial scrutiny.
Appearing on behalf of the Karnataka State Election Commission before the Supreme Court were Senior Advocate K.N. Phanindra, along with Advocates Ninad Laud and Sahil Tagotra.
BOTTOM LINE
With ward delimitation completed, reservations set for February 20, voters’ lists finalised by March 16, and a Supreme Court-fixed deadline of June 30, Bengaluru’s long-delayed civic elections—now under the Greater Bengaluru Authority—have entered their final and irreversible phase.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: GBAಯ ಐದು ನಗರ ನಿಗಮಗಳ ಚುನಾವಣೆ: ಮೇ 26ರೊಳಗೆ ಅಧಿಸೂಚನೆ, ಜೂನ್ 30ರೊಳಗೆ ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಲು ಸುಪ್ರೀಂ ಕೋರ್ಟ್ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನ
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