GBA Elections: Final voter list by March, SC sets June 30 deadline - Full details on government preparations

With the Supreme Court directing elections by June-end, the Karnataka government and State Election Commission have begun groundwork for polls to the five Greater Bengaluru Authority civic bodies.

The Supreme Court has issued a clear directive to conduct elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), setting June 30 as the final deadline. Following the court’s order, the Karnataka government has stepped up preparations to hold elections to five newly formed city municipal corporations under the GBA framework.

According to official sources, the government has decided to conduct the elections during the summer vacation, citing the availability of school classrooms for polling arrangements. The administration is aiming to hold the polls in May, well before the Supreme Court’s deadline.

Also Read:Bengaluru airport hits new highs in 2025: Passenger traffic crosses 43.8 million, cargo touches record levels

The state government has already completed the ward reorganisation process. A total of 369 wards have been created across the five city corporations. After inviting public objections and suggestions, the government has issued the final notification for these wards.

Following this, draft reservation details for all 369 wards were published. The public has been given time until January 23 to submit objections regarding ward reservations. After reviewing these objections, the government will issue the final reservation notification, paving the way for elections.

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that the final voter list will be published by March 16, 2026. Once the voter list is released, the Election Commission will officially announce the election schedule and issue the necessary orders.

Also Read:Bengaluru power outage today: BESCOM announces shutdown across dozens of localities

Under the GBA structure, the final ward distribution across city corporations is as follows:

•    Bengaluru Central City Corporation – 63 wards
•    Bengaluru North City Corporation – 72 wards
•    Bengaluru South City Corporation – 72 wards
•    Bengaluru East City Corporation – 50 wards
•    Bengaluru West City Corporation – 112 wards

The draft reservation breakup shows representation across categories.

In Bengaluru Central, wards are reserved for SC (11), ST (1), Backward Class A (15), Backward Class B (4), and General (32).

Bengaluru North has SC (9), ST (2), Backward Class A (19), Backward Class B (5), and General (37).

Bengaluru South includes SC (7), ST (3), Backward Class A (19), Backward Class B (5), and General (40).

In Bengaluru East, reservations include SC (7), ST (1), Backward Class A (14), Backward Class B (3), and General (25).

Also Read:HC slams NICE, seeks fresh review of BMIC project

With ward formation, reservations, and voter lists progressing as scheduled, the stage is set for long-pending GBA elections to finally take place.