Case Note & Summary
The petitioners, residents and aspiring candidates for Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections in Karnataka, filed writ petitions under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution challenging delimitation notifications issued by the Karnataka State Election Commission. The notifications pertained to Raichur Zilla Panchayat, Chikkaballapur Zilla Panchayat, and Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk Panchayat, and involved an increase in the number of seats from 38 to 42 in Raichur. The petitioners contended that the delimitation was not in accordance with the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act and the guidelines dated 15-09-2015 which mandated the 2011 census as the basis. The court heard arguments from senior advocates for the petitioners and the government pleader for the state and election commission. The matter was reserved for orders on 16-08-2021. The judgment text provided does not include the court's reasoning or final decision.
Issue of Consideration
Whether the delimitation notifications increasing the number of seats for Zilla and Taluk Panchayats were valid and in accordance with the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act and the guidelines based on the 2011 census?
