Mysuru: The by-election to MCC Ward No.32, mainly covering Vontikoppal and parts of Gokulam, will be held on July 2.

The seat had fallen vacant following the termination of membership of JD(S) Corporator C. Mahadesh, who was convicted and imprisoned in Hunsur double murder case in Feb. 2016.

The notification for the by-election will be issued tomorrow (June 14).

Last date for filing of nominations is June 21.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 22. Last date for withdrawal of nominations is June 24.

The polling will take place between 7 am and 5 pm on July 2 and the counting of votes will be taken up on July 5.

The poll code of conduct will come into effect in the Ward limits soon after the notification is issued on June 14.

MCC Zone 4 Assistant Commissioner Priyadarshini has been appointed as Election Officer while MCC Zone-3 Revenue Officer Ganganna has been appointed as Assistant Election Officer.

Following the announcement of the by-poll schedule, political activities have gained momentum with the three main political parties — Congress, BJP and JD(S) — going into a huddle to decide on their party candidates.

While SBM Manju is the front- runner from JD(S), the Congress and BJP are yet to choose their candidates.

SBM Manju, who has the backing of all JD(S) MLAs of the district, Mayor Ravikumar and several other top JD(S) leaders, is the most probable candidate of the JD(S).

Dhanaraj, Suma Nagaraj, C.R. Himamshu and Babu are in the race for Congress ticket while Mahadev, Kumar, Balasubramanya, K. Madesh and Narendra Babu are seeking BJP ticket.

In 2013 MCC polls, C. Mahadesh of JD(S) had defeated Balasubramanya of BJP and Pailwan Chikkaputty of Congress to win the seat for the second time. Mahadesh had won it for the first time in 2007.

The Ward 32 covers Gokulam 2nd Stage, Vontikoppal, Adi Pampa Road, Kalidasa Road, Valmiki Road and parts of VV Mohalla.