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Three-phase poll in Karnataka

J. Venkatesan

To be held on May 10, 16 and 22; counting slated for May 25

— Photo: V. Sudershan

POLL ANNOUNCEMENT: Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, flanked by Election Commissioners S.Y. Quraishi (left) and Navin Chawla, briefs the press in New Delhi on Wednesday.

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Wednesday announced a three-phase poll to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly. It will be held on May 10 in 89 constituencies, on May 16 for 66 seats and on May 22 for the other 69. Votes will be counted on May 25.

The Model Code of Conduct comes into immediate effect and will apply to all candidates, political parties and the State and Union Governments.

Karnataka was placed under President’s Rule on November 20, 2007. The Assembly was kept under suspended animation and it was dissolved on November 28.

Announcing the schedule after a Full Commission meeting here, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, flanked by Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S.Y. Quraishi, said that as per the Supreme Court judgment the election would have to be held within six months of the date of dissolution. Accordingly, the process would be completed before May 28. However, President’s Rule would have to be extended beyond May 20 for a few days, until the new government was formed.

All constituencies were delimited anew in accordance with the Delimitation Commission order. Thirty-six seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 15 for the Scheduled Tribes. As per the poll rolls, there are 4,00,77,666 electors — 2,03,99,338 men and 1,96,78,328 women.

Mr. Gopalaswami said the coverage of the Elector’s Photo Identity Cards was around 62 per cent and the Commission had issued instructions for continuing the campaign for increasing it. At all polling stations, numbering 39,758, electronic voting machines would be used.

He said: “Based on the assessment of the ground situation, Central Police Forces and State Armed Police drawn from other States will be deployed during the election. The CPF and SAP will be used for safeguarding the polling stations and for providing security to electors and polling personnel. Besides, wherever needed, the CPF will be deployed in advance for area domination.”

“The Commission has been issuing instructions from time to time with regard to advance preventive measures to be taken by the District Magistrates and police authorities to maintain law and order and to create an atmosphere conducive to free and fair elections. The Commission will be monitoring the ground situation closely and will take appropriate measures to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls.”

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