Karnataka High Court directs KSCA elections on December 7, quashes poll delay

Court cancels delay, appoints former judge to oversee a fast-tracked and transparent election process.

The Karnataka High Court has ordered that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections be conducted on December 7, overturning the earlier decision of the Electoral Officer (EO) to postpone the polls. The court’s ruling modifies the election calendar and appoints former High Court judge Subash B. Adi to supervise the entire process.

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The decision follows petitions challenging the EO’s November 17 communication, which pushed the election date from November 30 to December 30, citing the need to address concerns raised by members over the KSCA’s by-laws. Petitioners argued that delaying the elections would adversely affect Karnataka’s cricketing prospects since the absence of an elected body could impact player representation in major tournaments.

With all parties agreeing to hold the elections at the earliest possible date, the court accepted December 7 as the revised and mutually acceptable polling day. The court also decided to retain all previously filed nominations while restructuring the remaining calendar.

Revised Election Timeline

•    Scrutiny of nominations: November 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
•    List of valid candidates: November 24, before 6 p.m.
•    Withdrawal of nominations: November 26, before 3 p.m.
•    Final list of contesting candidates: November 26, by 5 p.m.
•    Election voting: December 7, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
•    Results: To be declared after voting concludes

The court emphasised the need for a fair, open, and transparent election process, expressing confidence that the poll will take place without disruptions.