Karnataka election dates to be announced at 11.30 am today

Suspense over the schedule for Karnataka assembly elections 2023 will end today as the Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the poll dates at 11.30 am on Wednesday. The model code of conduct will kick in immediately after announcement of the schedule.

According to reports, polls are likely to be held between May 10 and 15 since the tenure of 224-member Karnataka Assembly is to end by May 24, 2023.

The ruling BJP is in contest with the Congress in the state. The Janata Dal (S) is another key player in these elections.

There has been no clear mandate in Karnataka since 2004, barring the year 2013, when the Congress emerged victorious with a comfortable majority.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party in the 2018 Assembly elections, winning 104 seats, but fell short of a majority by 9 seats. The Congress (80 seats) and JD(S), with 37 seats, quickly announced an alliance and formed the government. However, the JDS-Congress government fell a year later and BJP formed the government.

Meanwhile, CM Basavaraj Bommai, has now scrapped his plan to visit Koppal and Haveri districts on Wednesday.

'Poll at home' for 80+

Earlier, the Election Commission had announced that almost 17,000 voters in Karnataka are above 100 years of age. The panel also announced that for the first time people above 80 years will get the facility to 'vote at home'. The number of youth voters also increased this year, it stated.

"The ECI is going to provide the facility to those above 80 years of age. Our teams will go there with a form-12D to exercise their franchise, the Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar told reporters here. Though we encourage those above 80 years to come to the polling station, those who cannot can avail this facility, he added. Secrecy will be maintained and the entire process will be videographed, Kumar explained.

"All the political parties will be informed whenever there is a movement for Voting From Home (VFH)," Kumar said.

For people with disabilities, a mobile application 'Saksham' has been introduced, which they can log in to and choose the facility to vote, the CEC said.

Another mobile application, 'Suvidha' has been developed, which is an online portal for candidates to file nominations and affidavits. "Candidates can also use the SUVIDHA portal for seeking permission for meetings and rallies," the top election official explained.