Karnataka local body polls have moved closer to the formal election schedule, with the State Election Commission directing deputy commissioners to begin appointing returning officers and assistant returning officers for the zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections likely to be held in January 2027.
Under directions issued by the commission on Saturday, assistant commissioners or officers of equivalent rank will serve as returning officers for zilla panchayat constituencies. Tahsildars or equivalent officers will handle taluk panchayat constituencies. Deputy commissioners have been asked to convene preliminary meetings, identify suitable officials and arrange training covering the full election process.
The district administrations must submit their proposed lists of returning officers and assistant returning officers to the SEC by November 16 for approval. The appointments are to be made under Rule 6 of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 1993.
For zilla panchayat elections, one assistant commissioner or equivalent officer must be appointed returning officer for each taluk. In taluks with more than 10 zilla panchayat constituencies, the commission has permitted the appointment of two returning officers. Tahsildar-level officers, excluding the concerned taluk tahsildar, should be appointed assistant returning officers.
For taluk panchayat elections, one tahsildar or equivalent officer must be appointed returning officer for every 15 constituencies. Deputy tahsildars or equivalent officers will serve as assistant returning officers. The SEC has instructed district authorities to ensure coordination between the two sets of officers and to allocate election duties according to the number of constituencies.
The commission has also asked deputy commissioners to assign election responsibilities to officials and staff with prior experience of conducting elections, wherever possible. Training must cover every stage, from the start of preparations to the completion of the electoral process. Officials assigned to election duty cannot be changed without prior approval from the SEC; any replacement will require the commission’s consent.
The returning officer and assistant returning officer lists will be formally notified after the SEC approves the proposals submitted by the deputy commissioners. RDPR minister Eshwar B Khandre recently indicated that the commission could publish the election schedule by mid-December for polls in January.
Preparations also involve the equipment required for voting. According to sources cited in the report, the SEC has completed an audit of ballot boxes across Karnataka and found that boxes valued at more than Rs 80 crore were in good condition for reuse. The state government has separately released Rs 125 crore to the commission to procure additional ballot boxes and other materials for elections using ballot papers.
The SEC’s instructions establish the administrative chain for conducting the polls, but the final election schedule and notifications will follow separately from the commission. Until then, district administrations are required to complete the officer selection, submit the names for approval and organise the mandated training.
