BENGALURU: The State Election Commission on Thursday announced a fresh calendar of events for elections to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The polls will be held on August 22, and the model code of conduct comes into force on Friday.
Earlier, the Election Commission had announced July 28 as polling day. The state government had approached the Supreme Court, following which the court directed the SEC to conduct the elections before August 28.
On July 13, the Karnataka High Court directed the Election Commission to submit a calendar of events on July 17. “We announced the calendar on Thursday in accordance with that order,” an official said.
State Election Commissioner P Srinivasachary told Express elections to all 198 wards would be conducted on a single day. “There will be no other change, except that nodal officers will be from the state Accounts Department and not from the Commercial Tax Department. Forty-five officers will monitor the expenditure,” he said.
Srinivasachary said 71.22 lakh voters were eligible to vote this time. “We will get the latest list after 15 days. The figure may change slightly,” he said.
For new voter cards or change of address, citizens should apply before August 10. “However, seven days before this date would be ideal,” Srinivasachary said. “Their names will be registered, and if they do not get their voter ID card, they can still cast their vote by producing proof of identity,” he said.
Earlier this week, on July 13, the BBMP Restructuring Committee headed by B S Patil submitted a report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, recommending five municipal corporations and five mayors for Bengaluru.