From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru. Mar 31: For the first time in Karnataka, voting is being made mandatory in state's grama panchayat polls.

he Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2015, which was passed in the State Assembly on Tuesday, prescribes compulsory voting in the grama panchayats.

The Bill piloted by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil, however, does not prescribe any action against those failing to vote.

The Bill seeks to provide the option of voting in favour of None of the Above (NOTA) if they do not want to support of any of the candidates.

Another important amendment is increasing the tenure of office of the presidents and vice-presidents of the GPs from the present 20 months to five years.

Patil said the tenure was being extended to provide the presidents and vice-presidents of the GPs an opportunity to plan effectively and prevent political instability coming in the way of performance.