Daijiworld Media Network-Belagavi (RJP)

Belagavi, Jan 3: The zilla and taluk panchayat polls will be held in February across the state in a phased manner, said state election commissioner P N Sreenivasachary on Saturday, January 2.

Speaking to media persons, Sreenivasachary said that election for zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats seats will be held in the second and third week of February in two phases and the election schedule will be announced soon.

Electronic voting machines (EVM) will be used for the polling this time, Sreenivasachary added. He also reviewed the preparations being made for elections to the local bodies here.

The names of the voters can be included in the voters list till the last date for filing nomination papers though the voter rolls were finalised on December 27. These names will be included in the supplementary voters list. 10 per cent increase in the number of voters in some districts is expected, said Sreenivasachary.

After the revenue division meets in different parts of the state, a meeting will be held with the director general of police Omprakash and soon after that the election schedule will be announced.

Elections will be held for 1,083 zilla panchayat and 3,903 taluk panchayat seats. More than 2.76 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in these elections. Officials have been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the election model code of conduct.