Local body elections on Sept 28

Bangalore, Sep 4 (UNI) On the directions of the Supreme Court, the Karnataka State Election Commission today announced the schedule for elections to 208 local bodies in the state to be held on September 28.

State Election Commissioner M R Hegde, while announcing the schedule to newspersons regretted that despite the apex court's direction that the election schedule once announced could not be postponed, the Karnataka High Court had postponed the polls on various grounds.

Stating that the Election Code of Conduct would come into force with immediate effect, Mr Hegde said notifications would be issued by the respective municipalties, town panchayats and corporations on September 10 and nominations could be filed from that day.

September 17 would the last date for filing of nomination papers, while scrutiny would be taken up the next day. September 20 would be the last date of withdrawal and election would be held on September 28. Counting of votes would be held on September 30 and the election process would be completed by October 3.

Of the total 10,613 polling stations to be established, 3670 were identified as sensitive and 3979 as hyper sensitive and special attention was being given to maintain law and order.

Replying to a question, Mr Hegde said the State Election Commission had filed cases in the Supreme Court against the High Court stay orders.

UNI