New Delhi, 17 July  

The Supreme Court on Friday extended the deadline for conducting elections across five City corporations in Bengaluru to December 2026.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order after it was informed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was underway in Karnataka.

Senioradvocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Greater Bengaluru Authority, told the top court that the SIR exercise was ongoing in Karanataka and the electoral rolls will be finalised in November this year. He further sought an extension in the deadline to conduct the civic body elections.

Noting the submissions, the bench said, "In view of the fact that Karnataka is conducting SIR and the process will be completed in November, it is directed that elections of all five corporations be held in December 2026."

The top court had earlier set 31 August as the deadline for completion of the elections. In its plea, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (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.