MANGALURU: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Thursday the bye-election to the Karnataka Legislative Council from the Dakshina Kannada Local Authorities Constituency.
The seat fell vacant after BJP leader Kota Srinivas Poojary was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency.
The notification for the bye-election will be issued on 26th September, with the filing of nominations starting on the same day. The last date for filing nominations is 3rd October, and the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 4th October.
Candidates will have until 7th October to withdraw their nominations. The polling is scheduled for 21st October, between 8 am and 4 pm, with votes being counted on 24th October. The election process will conclude on 28th October.
The model code of conduct (MCC) came into effect on Thursday, immediately following the announcement of the bye-election. As a result, ministers and elected representatives are barred from announcing any policy decisions, laying foundation stones, or inaugurating any programmes in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan M.P., who serves as the Returning Officer (RO) for the constituency, stated that all publicity materials from political parties will be removed from public spaces within 24 hours.
He clarified, "The model code of conduct for the bye-election will be the same as in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, except for two aspects – there will be no check posts and no static surveillance teams."
The Deputy Commissioner also noted that a total of 6,037 voters are eligible to participate in the election, with 3,551 voters from the Dakshina Kannada district and 2,486 from Udupi district. In Dakshina Kannada, there will be 234 polling booths, while Udupi will have 158 booths.
The voters in Dakshina Kannada include 3,264 gram panchayat members, 60 Mangaluru City Corporation members, 62 members of CMCs, 73 members of TMCs, 81 members of TPs, 8 MLAs, 2 MLCs, and one Lok Sabha member.
In Udupi district, the electorate comprises 2,361 gram panchayat members, 35 CMC members, 69 TMC members, 16 TP members, 4 MLAs, and one Lok Sabha member.