The date for Karnataka Assembly elections on 224 seats has been announced by the Election Commission today. The ongoing term, which expires on May 28, will have a single-phase election on May 12. The results will be announced on May 15.
Interestingly, the announcement of election dates saw a fresh controversy with the BJP IT Cell head tweeting the dates before the official announcement. The Election Commission assured that they “will look into leaks” on dates.
Congress hopes to retain power in Karnataka. The election is critical as Congress is out of power from majority of the states it used to rule. On the other hand it is also important as it will open roads for BJP in south India. Both the parities have alleged each other of communal and political violence, and large-scale corruption, in heir electoral campaigning. PM Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and BJP’s Amit Shah visited the state multiple times over the past few months.
Following is the schedule of Karnataka Elections:
Date of Issue of Gazette Notification – 17 Apr 2018
Last Date of Nominations – 24 Apr 2018
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations – 25 Apr 2018
Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures – 27 Apr 2018
Date of Election – 12 May
Date of Counting/Result – 15 May
Announcements made by the Election Commission
Meanwhile, the Election Commission will use VVPATS at all polling stations during the elections in the state. Photographs of all candidates will be attached to the voting machines. Machines used will be electronically transmitted postal ballots.
In Karnataka, the election commission has announced implementation of The Model code of conduct with immediate effect. It has mandated regulated use of loudspeakers and of no use between 10 pm and 6 am. A ceiling of 28 lakhs has been set up for candidates’ expenditure, but nothing for political parties.