In a brief but tense hearing on Monday, the Karnataka High Court pressed the State government to explain why it has not yet issued the final reservation list for all 187 municipal wards. The matter came up on a public interest plea filed not by activists or citizens this time, but by the State Election Commission (SEC) itself - something the bench subtly hinted was unusual and concerning.
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Background
The SEC approached the court seeking directions under the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, essentially asking the State to stop delaying and publish the final reservation notifications. These lists decide which municipal wards are reserved for women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Without them, elections to urban local bodies cannot move forward.
The Commission has also demanded the reservation list for the positions of Adyaksha and Upadhyaksha (President and Vice-President), which are supposed to be released simultaneously with ward reservations. A similar petition from the SEC-this one about Gram Panchayat reservations for nearly 5,950 villages-was heard last week.
During that earlier hearing, the bench had remarked sharply, “This is a serious matter, take instructions,” giving a clear indication of its impatience with the recurring delays.
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Court’s Observations
On Monday, Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha did not hide the urgency. After a quick review of the petition, the bench ordered notice to the State government. The Chief Justice noted that the delay impacts the entire election calendar and creates administrative uncertainty.
“The bench observed, ‘The respondent shall file a counter affidavit traversing the averments before the next date. The matter cannot be kept hanging,’” a remark that drew murmurs among those attending, including several SEC officials.
The judges also acknowledged that urban local body terms are running out fast, and if the reservations are not finalized soon, the election process could hit a legal dead end. As one advocate whispered outside court, “If reservations fall, the entire poll schedule falls like a stack of cards.”
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Decision
The division bench directed the State government to file its detailed response before December 11, when both the municipality and Gram Panchayat reservation petitions will be heard together. With that, the court issued notice and fixed the next hearing, leaving the proceedings at a point where the State must now justify its delay - or face stricter directions when the matter returns.
Case Title: State Election Commission vs. State of Karnataka
Court: Karnataka High Court
Bench: Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha
Case No.: WP 33843/2025
Next Hearing: December 11, 2025