Bengaluru: The Karnataka high court, on Thursday, sent a notice to the state govt and the State Election Commission (SEC) in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by KE Kanthesh, son of former BJP leader KS Eshwarappa, seeking immediate elections to the Shivamogga Municipal Corporation.A division bench comprising chief justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha also ordered notice to the Shivamogga Municipal Corporation. The petitioner, who is an ex-zilla panchayat member from Holalkere, claimed that the last election to the Shivamogga Municipal Corporation was held on Aug 31, 2018, and it was the duty of the State Election Commission to conduct the election within six months from the expiry of the term, that is, six months from Aug 30, 2023.
Even though 2.5 years passed, the State Election Commission has not conducted the elections and thus violated the constitutional mandate under Article 243E and Article 243U, Kanthesh added while seeking the intervention of the high court in the matter.
