Delimitation: BBMP needs 3 more months

Delimitation: BBMP needs 3 more months
DH News Service, Bangalore:
The ruling BJP may be in a hurry to hold elections for BBMP at the earliest. But it has to wait for at least three months to execute its plan as completion of delimitation process and preparation of voters' list as per new wards require more than three months.


State Election Commissioner M R Hegde said, “Elections for BBMP cannot be held unless the delimitation process is completed. The State Election Commission will prepare voters’ list as per new wards after delimitation.

Preparing ward-wise voters’ list in BBMP limits is rather tricky and needs at least two months’ time. Only then the commission can decide on elections”.

After winning 110 seats across the state, including 17 seats in BBMP limits and coming to power, the BJP hopes to continue the victory trail by holding elections to the Palike.

Meeting

According to sources, the Chief Minister recently held a meeting with officers of Urban Development Department regarding Palike elections. However, no formal decision has been taken.

Minister for Excise and In-charge Bangalore (North) Katta Subramanya Naidu said that the government has not yet taken any decision on when to hold elections.

The term of the previous elected council of the Palike came to an end on November 23, 2006. Since then elections for the Palike has been pending.

The BMP became BBMP in January, 2007 with the merger of eight municipalities and 110 villages. The area of the Palike went up from 226 sq kms to 800 sq kms.

Classification of wards

By an ordinance, the State Government increased the number of wards in the Palike limits from 100 to 150 and entrusted the then Bangalore Urban district Deputy Commissioner M A Sadiq with the responsibility of the delimitation. He submitted his report on classification of wards during the Governor’s rule. However, it has not yet been ratified by the government.

Once the classification of wards is ratified, the Urban Development Department has to announce the draft in the gazette and give one month’s time for the public to raise objections, if any. The next step is to notify the final copy of the classification of wards.