From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Jul 19: The model code of conduct has come into force in four districts of Karnataka —Ramanagaram, Chamarajanagar, Gulbarga and Bangalore Urban—which are facing byelections five legislative assembly constituencies on August 18.
The central election commission, which announced the by-election for the Channapatna constituency, following the resignation of the sitting Congress MLA C P Yogeshwar, who had quit his seat won on Congress ticket, to join BJP and contest in the lok sabha election, on Thursday followed it up with by-elections for four other vacant constituencies of Ramanagaram, Kollegal, Chitapur and Govindarajanagar.
However, the model code of conduct will be in force till August 21, the date for counting and announcement of results will be known.
State Chief Electoral Officer C.S.Suranjana on Saturday said all activities in the four districts including the execution of developmental works and other important programmes directly linked with the people will directly come under the purview of the election authorities. Prior permission has to be obtained from the election commission.
Suranjana said election notification for the bypolls will be issued on July 22, the date on which filing of nomination papers will also commence. The last date for filing of nominations is July 29 and for withdrawal August 1. The electoral rolls revised as on January 1, 2009 will be applicable although new voters can register with the authorities until Monday.
The rules pertaining to electoral identity card will apply and those without an EPIC card can use other alternative documents as prescribed by the election commission to show their identity, he said.
The electorate in the five constituencies are as follows: Chitapur –1,81,233 (89,721 males and 91,512 females), Govindarajanagar 2,70,840 (1,44,637 males and 1,44,637 females), Ramanagaram 1,76,153 (89,710 males and 86,443 females), Channapatna 1,86,078 (91,854 males and 94,224 females), Kollegal 1,82,950 (93,357 males and 89,593 females). There will be 200 polling stations at Chitapur, 215 in Govindarajanagar, 251 in Ramanagaram, 227 in Channapatna and 197 in Kollegal.
Asked about the Government extending special developmental packages to some of the constituencies like Channapatna and Govindarajanagar, he said election authorities will look into the matter. However, implementation of developmental works which have commenced prior to the announcement of the elections can continue.
It may be recalled that the Congress party had sought to move an adjournment on the issue in the assembly on Friday alleging that the ruling BJP was trying to win over the people by government doling out grants for development works in two of the five assembly constituencies where bye-elections are scheduled.
KPCC Working President D K Shivakumar, who raised the issue in his preliminary submission, he said the government had sanctioned Rs 6 crore to Channapatna and Rs 36 crore through the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for the Govindarajanagar assembly segment. The release of funds ahead of bypolls amounted to an electoral malpractice with an intention to influence voters in favour of the ruling BJP nominees, he had contended.