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Byelections to seven of the eight Assembly seats on December 27

Bangalore: Byelections to seven of the eight Assembly constituencies in the State will be held on December 27. The elections are crucial to the Bharatiya Janata Party given the fact that it enjoys a simple majority in the Legislative Assembly with the support of six independents.

Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and the State Chief Electoral Officer M.N. Vidyashankar told The Hindu that although bypolls were due for eight seats, elections would be held only for seven, as an election petition was pending in the Karnataka High Court with regard to Madhugiri. Following the announcement of the byelections, the code of conduct will come into effect immediately although the election notification is scheduled to be issued only a few days later, with the filing of nominations set to commence on December 3.

The eight vacant seats are Arabhavi and Hukkeri in Belgaum district; Turuvekere and Madhugiri in Tumkur district; Deodurg in Raichur district; Doddaballapur in Bangalore Rural district; Karwar in Uttara Kannada district and Maddur in Mandya district.

While seven candidates elected on Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) ticket quit their membership and crossed over to the BJP, the eighth vacancy arose following the death of Maddur MLA M.S. Siddaraju, who was elected on the Janata Dal (S) ticket. Four of the legislators who defected to the ruling party have been accommodated in the Ministry.

Mr. Vidyashankar said the election authorities were geared up to hold the elections, and preparatory meetings had been held with the district authorities.

The electoral rolls were also ready.

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