Local body polls in K'taka to be held in May

Gulbarga, Apr 4: Elections to 206 local bodies and six corporations in Karnataka will be held by the second week of May, State Election Commissioner M R Hegde said today.

Addressing a press conference here, he said after successfully holding elections to the local bodies, the EC would consider holding byelections to the gram panchayats, taluk panchayats and zilla panchayats, wherever necessary. Ballot papers would be used for the polls.

Mr Hegde said it was not yet decided whether the civic polls would be held in a single phase or in two phases. ''A review meeting will be held in Bangalore after April 7 to decide on the matter, in which the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Urban Development Secretary would participate.'' He made it clear that the election to the Bangalore city Corporation would be held after the court verdict was received and Mangalore Corporation election would be scheduled after the present Council's term ended.

To a question, he said the delimitation process was carried out by the Government officials and the EC had nothing to do with it. ''If there are any doubts about the delimitation, it can be brought to the notice of the Government,'' he added.

Earlier, Mr Hegde held a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of Gulbarga, Bidar, Bellary and Raichur districts.

Various aspects of the election process were discussed at the meeting and the DCs were asked to take steps to hold the polls peacefully and ensure sufficient police bandobust.

UNI