With dates for the by-elections to Gundlupet and Nanjangud Assembly constituencies announced, the code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect.  The by-elections will be held on April 9 and counting of votes will be on April 13.

While the by-election to Gundlupet was necessitated due to the death of Co-operative Minister H.S. Mahadevaprasad on January 3 this year, the Nanjangud by-poll was necessitated following the resignation of senior Dalit leader V. Sreenivasa Prasad, who quit his Assembly seat in October last year after being unceremoniously dropped from the Siddharamaiah Cabinet. Later, Prasad also quit the Congress to join BJP. Nanjangud Assembly segment is reserved for SC category.

While Sreenivasa Prasad is pitted against Kalale Keshavamurthy of Congress in Nanjangud, Geetha Mahadevaprasad (Congress), wife of late H.S. Mahadevaprasad will contest against BJP’s Niranjankumar.  The JD(S) is yet to declare its candidate for both the constituencies.

TOURS OF MINISTERS UNDER SCRUTINY

Hours after the Election Commission announced the dates, the District Administrations of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar issued directions to officials and political parties. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep told reporters that the model code of conduct has been enforced across the district and that it is not just restricted to Nanjangud constituency.

He also clarified that there will be some relaxation outside the constituency. Randeep said that tours of Ministers will be under the scrutiny of the Election Commission (EC).

The Ministers can visit the city or other taluks, except Nanjangud, and hold review meetings, he added. The model code of conduct will be in place till April 15 till the entire poll process is completed. The EC?has fixed Rs. 28 lakh per candidate for expenditure, the DC said.

Except meetings pertaining to drought, people’s representatives are not allowed to call meetings of officials as they are deputed for election duties. During this period, no transfers are allowed. There should not be any overlap of election work and official work, the DC said and added that people’s representatives cannot use official vehicles for party or election work. However, security provided to Ministers will continue, he added.

There are 2,00,506 voters in Nanjangud and of them, 99,231 are women. The polling will be held at 236 polling stations and the district Police has worked out security measures. It has classified 72 booths as hypersensitive.

In Chamarajanagar, Deputy Commissioner B. Ramu said 1,98,879 people, including 99,155 men and 99,707 women and 17 transgenders, will exercise their franchise for the Gundlupet by-election. He said the Tahsildar has been directed to remove cut-outs and banners of political personalities. Candidates must take prior permission to conduct meetings and Police permission should be taken to use vehicles for campaigning.

SSLC EXAM

The by-elections will affect SSLC students. While the polling is scheduled for April 9 (Sunday), the students have exams on Apri1 10. DC Randeep said that they are planning to shift the SSLC exams to different schools. “We are yet to decide on how to go about it. But we will ensure that the students will not be affected,” he said.

The annual Dodda Jathra of Sri Srikanteshwara Swamy at Nanjangud will be held on April 7 and the Thepothsava will be held on April 9.

IN A NUTSHELL

By-election for Gundlupet and N’gud  – April 9

Notification will be issued –  March 14

Filing of nominations will begin – March 14

Last date for filing nominations – March 21

Scrutiny of nomination papers – March 22

Dead-line for withdrawal of papers – March 24

Counting of votes  – April 13

Results are expected to be announced The EC?has fixed Rs. 28 lakh by April 13 afternoon per candidate for expenditure  2,00,506 voters in N’gud 1,98,879 voters in Gundlupet