Published Jul 17, 2026 | 4:54 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 17, 2026 | 4:54 PM
Greater Bengaluru Authority.
Synopsis: The Court, however, issued a stern warning that no further extension will be granted under any circumstances, marking the third deadline set for the long-delayed civic polls since the erstwhile BBMP’s term ended in 2020. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Karnataka government, assured the Bench that the state would not seek another adjournment.
The Supreme Court has extended the deadline for polls to Bengaluru’s five municipal corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to 31 December 2026, from the earlier 31 August deadline.
The Bench, headed by CJI Surya Kant, said the extension was granted as Karnataka’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is expected to conclude only by November.
The Court, however, issued a stern warning that no further extension will be granted under any circumstances, marking the third deadline set for the long-delayed civic polls since the erstwhile BBMP’s term ended in 2020.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Karnataka government, assured the Bench that the state would not seek another adjournment.
According to a PTI report, in its plea, the GBA had said the whole administrative machinery and human resources of the five city corporations were fully engaged in the SIR exercise.
“SIR is an extremely manpower-intensive exercise entailing house-to-house visits by the booth-level officers and also requires day-to-day involvement of the complete supervisory structure involving other officers at all levels up to District Election Officer… The GBA faces severe logistical challenges,” the plea said.
Also Read: SC gives Karnataka final extension to hold GBA polls by 31 August
In May 2026, the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi said the 31 August extension would be the final opportunity and that no further extensions would be granted.
Earlier, in January 2026 too, the apex court set a deadline of 30 June to conduct elections to the five municipal corporations under the GBA.
In the then petition dated 10 May, the state government and the State Election Commission (SEC) had sought an additional three months from 30 June to complete the election process, citing difficulties in holding the elections alongside the ongoing national census exercise, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and SSLC and PUC board examinations, among others.
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(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Keerthivas)
