The condensation reaction of succinyldihydrazide with glyoxal in the presence of divalent metal ions (1: 1: 1) results in the formation of the complexes of type [M(C6H8N4O2)X2], where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and X = Cl−, NO3−, CH3COO−. The complexes have been characterized with the aid of elemental analyses, conductance measurements and electronic, NMR, infrared spectral studies. On the basis of these studies, a six-coordinated distorted octahedral geometry in which two nitrogen and two carbonyl oxygen atoms are suitably placed for coordination toward metal ion, has been proposed for all the complexes. The complexes were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity. Some of the complexes showed remarkable antibacterial activities against some selected bacterial strains.