The Times of India 07.01.2010
Supreme Court clears way for BBMP elections
BANGALORE: With strict ultimatum from the Supreme Court on Wednesday to hold elections as per schedule, the decks are now clear for the BBMP elections ‘as planned’ in February. The calendar of events is unlikely to be changed from what was notified last year. The advocate for state election commission (SEC) had stated in the court that the official notification of elections will be issued on February 1.
With the Supreme Court setting aside the Karnataka high court’s December 8 directive, elections will be held as per the reservation guidelines announced by the government on July 21, 2009. This follows reservations based on assembly segment-wise population. The government had issued a notification on November 30 in this regard.
This means the new notification earmarking reservations for SC/STs based on 2001 census, as per the Karnataka high court’s December 8 directive, is invalid. The total number of reserved wards will continue to be 127 of the 198 wards.
CM: We will honour apex court order
Referring to the Supreme Court’s direction on the BBMP elections, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said: “We will honour the SC order.’’
Advocate general Ashok Haranahalli said the government would abide by the SC order. “The elections will be held as planned. However, we would have preferred an extension at least by another month considering that the code of conduct comes into effect on January 15. We made an oral request asking for some more time. This, considering the wait for the stay period from December 18 till January 4. And prior to that, it was work on redoing the reservation order according to the division Bench orders,’’ he said.
