New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. The polling will be held in the state on May 10 in a single phase followed by the declaration of results on May 13. The term of the 224-member Assembly ends on May 24.
The Election Commission officials held a press conference at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bjawan in Delhi on Wednesday. Election Commissioner of India Anup Chandra Pandey, Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, and ECI Arun Goel announced the final schedule of Karnataka Assembly polls at 11:30 am on Wednesday.
According to CEC Rajiv Kumar, the total number of electors in Karnataka comes to 5.2 crores with the total number of 80-plus-year-old electors standing at 12.15 lakh.
The ECI has introduced the facility to Vote-from-Home (VFH) for people above 80 years of age and those with disabilities. Kumar explained that secrecy will be maintained and the entire process will be videographed. "All the political parties will be informed whenever there is a movement for Voting From Home (VFH)," he added.
Over 9.17 lakh first-time voters will participate in the elections. Under Advance Application Facility over 1.25 lakh applications were received from 17 years plus youths, out of which around 41,000 applications were received from youths turning 18 years by April 1, 2023.
The Model Code of Conduct in the state has come into force with the announcement of poll schedule.
CEC Rajiv Kumar said urban apathy and misuse of money power are the two major issues in the state and appropriate initiatives are being taken in this regard. "We have directed all the enforcement authorities on this," said the CEC.
The Election Commission (EC) is strengthening its teams to curb the misuse of money power, the CEC said. There will be 2,400 static surveillance teams to keep strict vigil and multiple agencies working in synergy and coordination, he added.
To ensure free, fair and inducement-free elections, the awareness and cooperation of citizens are key. Citizens can report any kind of electoral malpractices to the ECI through cVIGIL App, the CEC added.
However, the CEC said today that it is in no hurry to announce bypoll to the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency after Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lower House.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has 30 days to exercise judicial remedy in the 2019 defamation case. The CEC said the trial court in Surat has given Rahul Gandhi 30 days to seek a judicial remedy. "There is no hurry, we will wait," he added.
The CEC said the vacancy in the Wayanad parliamentary party was notified on March 23 this year and as per the law, a bypoll has to be conducted within six months.
Referring to rules, he said that if the remainder of the term was less than one year, then the election will not be held. In the case of Wayanad, the remainder of the term is more than a year.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, who is a contender for chief minister post if Congress is voted to power, on Wednesday stated that it is his last election.
"After this, I am retiring from politics. It is my desire to represent my native constituency and place and retire. That is the reason I am contesting from Varuna constituency," an emotional Siddaramaiah stated while addressing the reporters.
Talking about criticism by the Opposition that he is not able to find a constituency for him, Siddaramaiah clarified that this is a meaningless talk. "I have been invited to contest from 25 constituencies. I have been invited after ensuring my chances of victory.
"I don't care for opponents. We will win with the blessings of people. The state Assembly election dates are announced. The Congress is ready for elections. The elections need to be conducted in a transparent way. The illegalities have to be prevented. The action has to be taken against all, including ruling party members. There is a possibility of the ruling party influencing the elections. It needs to be prevented, he said.
Karnataka is the only state in the south where the BJP has been in power. The party emerged as the single-largest party, winning 104 seats in the 224-member assembly in the 2018 election.
The Congress won 80 seats, while the Janata Dal's (Secular) tally stood at 37. After the election, however, Congress and JD(S) formed a coalition government with 120 out of 224 seats with JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy taking oath as the chief minister.
However, in the 2019 general election, the BJP-led NDA won 26 out of 28 seats in Karnataka, following which 14 Congress and 3 JD(S) MLAs submitted their resignations, toppling the alliance government and triggering by-elections in the state.
The upcoming election will be a test for the BJP to retain power and the Congress to return to power in the southern state.
With inputs from agencies