Karnataka Assembly polls on May 12, counting of votes on May 15

Speed Post News Network

Patna : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 27, 2018, announced that the elections to the 224 member Karnataka Legislative Assembly will be held on May 12, 2018, in a single phase. The votes will be counted on May 15, 2018. The term of Karnataka Legislative Assembly is due to expire on May 28, 2018. Of the 224 Karnataka Assembly seats, 36 seats are reserved for SCs and 15 for STs.

The Gazette Notification will be issued on April 17, 2018, and the last date for filing nominations will be April 24. Polling will be held at 56,696 polling stations. In 2013 polls, the number of polling station in Karnataka was 52,034. There would be 224 women managed polling stations in Karnataka Assembly polls for the first time, according to a PIB release. EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used at all the polling stations.

With the announcement of poll date by the ECI, Model Code of Conduct has come into force in Karnataka. The Model Code of Conduct shall also be applicable to the Union Government insofar as announcements/policy decisions pertaining to/for this state is concerned.

The Commission has also issued instructions for swift, effective and stringent action for enforcement of Model Code of Conduct during the first 72 hours of announcement of the election schedule and also for maintaining extra vigilance and strict enforcement action in the last 72 hours prior to the close of polls.

As per the revised election expenses ceilings, the maximum limit of election expenses for the Assembly Constituencies is Rs 28 lakh per candidate for the state of Karnataka. All candidates are required to furnish their accounts of expenditure within 30 days of declaration of results. As a new innovation, GIS based planning, implementation and monitoring of various elections related activities are being implemented in the State of Karnataka for Election Planning.