Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Election Commission on Thursday announced the timetable for the first phase polls to 108 local bodies, out of the 207 local bodies across the state. However, Shivamogga, Mysuru and Tumakuru districts are being excluded from the first phase of the polls as a matter pertaining to the reservation is pending before the state high court.
The elections are slated to be held on August 29 while the counting of the votes will take place on September 1, informed state Election Commissioner P N Srinivasachari during a press meet.
The first phase will see around 29 City Municipalities, 53 Town Municipalities and 23 Town Panchayats go to polls on 29 August.The polls are being held in two phases since the term for the remaining Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) is yet to near completion.
“The notification for the polls will be issued, by the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts on August 10 and candidates can begin filing their nominations from the same day. The last date for submission of nominations is August 17. Nominations will be scrutinised on August 18. The last date of withdrawal of nominations for candidates will be on August 20. If need arises, re-poll will be held on 31 August. Around 40,000 personnel, including police, will be deployed for poll duty,” informed election commissioner adding that the code of conduct will come into force immediately.
Notably, voters will also have the NOTA option, with its introduction for the first time at local bodies elections.
Test for state coalition govt:
The local bodies elections are being viewed as a test for the coalition Congress-JDS government ahead of the 2019 polls. Interestingly while the Congress-JDS have made it clear that their alliance will continue in the Lok Sabha elections, a decision on whether they will face the local bodies elections as an alliance is still not been taken.
Moreover, of the 108 ULBs which go to polls in the first phase, nearly 70 are located in northern Karnataka, a region where protest demanding a separate statehood is on. It is to be seen if CM Kumaraswamy’s assurances of trying to resolve the issues of locals of North Karnataka will soothe the people, failing which BJP is more likely to come as a winner.
