Karnataka Targets December Announcement for Long-Pending Panchayat Polls

Bengaluru, Oct 12 : The Karnataka government is aiming to announce the schedule for elections to zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats in December, with the finalisation of electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) likely to play a crucial role in determining the timeline.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre said the government was preparing to conduct the long-pending elections, which have remained due since 2022, and would announce the poll schedule in December after completing the necessary formalities.

As part of the preparations, the government has published the draft reservation list for zilla and taluk panchayat constituencies and invited objections until October 19. The move marks a significant step towards conducting elections to the two tiers of rural local bodies, which have been deferred for nearly four years.

Khandre said the government was ready to hold the elections but indicated that the preparation and finalisation of electoral rolls could influence the proposed schedule.

The electoral rolls, following the completion of the SIR process, are expected to be handed over to the State Election Commission, which will play a key role in advancing the election process.

The government’s target of announcing the schedule in December will depend on the completion of reservation-related formalities and the availability of the final electoral rolls, the minister said.

With the elections to zilla and taluk panchayats pending since 2022, the completion of these preparatory steps is critical to moving the electoral process forward. While the publication of the draft reservation list has initiated the next phase of preparations, the finalisation of electoral rolls remains a key factor in determining whether the government can meet its year-end target.