SC clears decks for K'taka municipal polls

New Delhi, Aug 27: The Supreme Court today cleared the decks for holding of municipal corporation elections in Karnataka.

A bench comprising Justices BN Aggarwal and PK Balasubramanyam stayed the Karnataka High Court judgement which stayed the elections to the local bodies in the state.

The Court also issued notices to Pradeep Balaramkarbhol and state of Karnataka on the petition filed by the State Election Commission challenging the High Court judgement.

Earlier, counsel for the State Election Commission contended before the Court that the elections are already overdue for one year and the order of the High Court staying the election on the ground that voters' list was not ready was in violation of judgement of this Court laying down that timely and regular elections to the local government bodies like panchayats and municipal corporations are mandatory.

The elections are to be completed latest by September 30, 2007.

UNI