The Bangalore Apartment Owners’ Association Welfare Association (BAOAWA) is likely to request the Karnataka State government’s intervention to postpone the upcoming elections for the Bangalore Apartment Owners’ Association (BAOA).
Current regulations mandate elections be held annually, but BAOAWA argues this timeframe is impractical given the complexities of managing elections across a large number of apartments – over 600 – and the significant volunteer effort required. They propose biennial elections instead.
The primary concern is the disruption to ongoing community projects and the administrative burden placed on volunteer managing committees who must dedicate substantial time to election preparations instead of focusing on maintenance and improvements. Frequent elections also lead to a lack of continuity in projects.
BAOAWA has submitted a proposal to the State government outlining the benefits of biennial elections, including increased focus on long-term planning, better project execution, and reduced administrative overhead. They believe a longer term allows committees to effectively implement initiatives and address resident concerns.
The association also highlights the difficulties in adhering to the current election guidelines, particularly regarding the audit of accounts and the preparation of detailed reports within the short annual timeframe. They suggest biennial audits would be more feasible and provide a more accurate financial overview.
Furthermore, BAOAWA points to the precedent set by other cooperative societies in Karnataka which conduct elections every two years. They argue that applying the same principle to apartment associations would streamline the process and improve governance.
The association is preparing to formally request the government’s intervention to amend the regulations and allow for the postponement of elections until a decision is made regarding the proposed changes. They are optimistic that the government will consider their request favorably, recognizing the practical challenges faced by apartment associations in Bangalore. The next election is scheduled for November 2024.
