The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold polls in Karnataka before the expiry of President’s rule on May 28. The panel has directed the state election authorities to keep Electronic Voting Machines ready.
According to an EC source, there was a meeting on Thursday to discuss Assembly elections in the state. Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami chaired the meeting, attended by Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and SY Qureshi.
The source clarified that elections in the state will be held as per the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission, which asked for the redrawing of constituencies. The process of redrawing the 224 constituencies in the state has almost been completed, the source said.
An Election Commission panel had visited the state last week to make an on-the-spot assessment of Karnataka’s poll preparedness, particularly the revision of electoral rolls, in accordance with the Delimitation Commission’s recommendations.
The panel started the second phase reviewing election arrangements on Wednesday. A senior officer of the EC has been deputed to tour the state.