With model code in force, flying squad checks Bommai's car

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai's car was stopped and checked by the Flying Squad team of the Election Commission on Friday as the model code of conduct has come into effect in view of the May 10 Assembly polls.

In the video clip shared by ANI, the officers stop the CM's car and conduct the check. The Chief Minister was on his way to Sri Ghati Subramanya Temple in Doddaballapur, according to news agency ANI.

The model code is a set of guidelines, issued by the Election Commission, for political parties, candidates, government and the party in power during elections concerning speeches, announcements, election manifestos and general conduct.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday said the notification for the elections to the 224-member assembly will be issued on April 13 and the last date for filing nomination papers will be April 20.

Kumar said the nomination papers will be scrutinised on April 21 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations will be April 24.

Kumar said the elections have been scheduled on a Wednesday, not on a Monday or Friday, to encourage greater participation of voters.

Of the 5.21 crore electors, the number of voters who are above 80 years of age stands at 12.15 lakh while 5.55 lakh are PWD voters, he added.

Over 9.17 lakh first-time voters will take part in the elections this year. Kumar said that 58,282 polling stations will be set up in the 224 Assembly constituencies. The average voter per polling station is 883. Half of the polling stations have a webcasting facility. For enhanced voter experience, 1,320 polling stations will be managed by women, he added.

The results will be announced on May 13, just three days after voting in 224 constituencies.

Meanwhile, the BJP, Congress and JDS have launched spirited campaigns for the elections.

The pre-poll surveys have indicated that Congress will return to power.