Karnataka elections: 2,655 candidates in fray for 224 assembly seats

A fierce contest is on the cards for the May 12 Karnataka Assembly Elections with 2,655 candidates contesting the polls.

Of the 3,509 who filed valid nominations by the last date on Tuesday, 583 candidates withdrew by Friday and 271 were rejected after their papers were scrutinised on Wednesday, according to CEC data.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest all 224 seats, while the Congress will contest 222 seats. The H.D. Devegowda-led Janata Dal-Secular will contest 201 seats, data provided by the Chief Electoral Office in Karnataka has indicated.

Out of 2,655 candidates, 219 are women, a notification from Chief Electoral Officer said.

Mulbagal constituency in Kolar district will field the highest number of 39 candidates, while Challakere in Chitradurga district will field the least at four.

According to the data provided, in 2013 3693 candidates filed their nominations for contesting the polls. This year, 3509 have filed their nominations. That is 183 less than 2013. In terms of withdrawals and or rejections, in 2013, 744 candidates' nominations were withdrawn or rejected, while in 2018, 854 nominations have been withdrawn or rejected. That shows that 110 more withdrawals and or rejections have taken place before the 2018 polls, reports ANI.

Polling will be held in a single phase for all the 224 Assembly constituencies in the state on May12. The results will be out on May 15.