ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110 001

NO.ECI/PN/ 12/2008 Dated: 2nd April 2008

PRESS NOTE
Subject: Schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka

The State of Karnataka was placed under President’s Rule under Article 356 of the
Constitution on 20.11.2007 and the Legislative Assembly of the State was subsequently
dissolved on 28.11.2007. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has held in Special Reference No.1 of
2002 [AIR 2003 SC 87, (2002) 8 SCC 237] that on the premature dissolution of the
Legislative Assembly, the general election to constitute the new Assembly should be held
within six month from the date of premature dissolution of the State Assembly. Accordingly,
a general election has to be held in the State of Karnataka before 28.05.2008.

ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES
2. The Assembly Constituencies in Karnataka have been delimited anew in accordance
with the Delimitation Commission’s order no. 49 dated 2nd July 2007 under section 8 and 9 of
the Delimitation Act, 2002 (33 of 2002) and published in official gazettes under section 10(1)
of the said Act. The Presidential notification for implementation of the new delimitation
order has been promulgated vide order of the President [S.O. 382(E) dated on 19th February,
2008. There are 224 newly delimited Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in Karnataka, of which
36 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes (SC) and 15 for Scheduled Tribes (ST).

ELECTORAL ROLLS
3. The Electoral rolls, with reference to 1st January, 2008, as the qualifying date, in
terms of the old Assembly Constituencies had been published by 20.03.2008. Rule 24 of the
Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 provides that if it is required urgently to prepare the
electoral roll of a constituency delimited anew, the electoral roll for the new constituency can
be prepared – (a) by putting together the rolls of such of the existing constituencies or parts
thereof as are comprised within the new constituency; and (b) by making appropriate
alterations in the arrangement, serial numbering and heading of the rolls so compiled. The

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said Rule further provides that the roll so prepared shall be published in the manner specified
in Rule 22 and shall, on such publication, be the electoral roll for the new constituency.
4. As mentioned above, the general election to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly is to
be held before the 28.05.2008. Thus, it became necessary that the electoral rolls of the newly
delimited constituencies are prepared urgently and for this purpose the rolls of the earlier
constituencies have been collated in terms of the new constituencies under the aforesaid Rule
24 of the Registration of Elector Rules, 1960 and published under Rule 22 of the said Rules
on 29.03.2008. As per these rolls, there are 40077666 electors of which 20399338 are male
and 19678328 female. The electoral rolls of all the Assembly constituencies of the State have
been computerized and are available on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka
(http://ceokarnataka.nic.in). The rolls, so published finally, have been shared with all
recognized Political Parties. Continuous updation of the rolls under Section 23 of R.P. Act
1950 will be on till the last date for filing nominations.

ELECTORS PHOTO IDENTITY CARDS (EPIC)

5. EPIC coverage of the electors in Karnataka is around 62%. The Commission has
issued instructions to continue the campaign for increasing the EPIC coverage.

ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs)

6. The Elections in the State will be conducted at all polling stations using EVMs. The
Commission has already made available adequate number of EVMs for the smooth conduct
of elections.

INDELIBLE INK
7. The Commission in recent times has been adopting a new procedure for the
application of indelible ink. The new procedure of applying the ink as a line running from top
of the nail to the bottom of first joint of the left forefinger will be followed during the
forthcoming general election also.

LAW AND ORDER AND DEPLOYMENT OF FORCES

8. Based on the assessment of ground situation, Central Police Forces (CPFs) and State
Armed Police (SAPs) drawn from other States will be deployed during the ensuing general
election. The CPF and SAP will be used for safeguarding the polling stations and for

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providing security to the electors and polling personnel. Besides, wherever needed, the CPF
will be deployed in advance for area domination. The identification of polling stations
requiring coverage by CPF in various assembly constituencies will be made in consultation
with the ECI Observers.
9. The Commission has been issuing instructions from time to time with regard to
advance preventive measures to be taken by the District Magistrates and Police authorities to
maintain the Law & Order and to create atmosphere conducive for the conduct of free and
fair elections. The Commission will be monitoring the ground situation closely and will take
appropriate measures to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls in the State.

OBSERVERS
10. The Commission will be deploying General and Expenditure Observers to ensure
smooth conduct of forthcoming General Election. The Observers will be asked to keep a
close watch on the electoral process to ensure free and fair elections. Besides, the
Commission will be deploying sufficient number of Central Government and Central Public
Sector Unit employees as micro observers at the polling stations selectively. They will take
static position at the assigned polling station, observe the poll process and submit a report to
their respective constituency observers.

CONDUCT OF OFFICIALS
11. The Commission expects all officials engaged in the conduct of elections to discharge
their duties in an impartial manner without any fear or favour. Several instructions have been
issued from time to time to ensure impartiality of officials who are engaged in conduct of
elections. The conduct of all government officials who have been entrusted with election
related responsibilities and duties would remain under constant scrutiny of the Commission
and strict action shall be taken against those officials who are found wanting on any account.
12. The Commission has already given instructions that no election related official or
Police officer of the rank of Sub Inspector and above shall be allowed to continue in his
home district. Besides, instructions have also been issued that all the election related officials
including the police officials who have completed three years in a district during last four
years should be transferred out of that district. The Government of the State has also been
asked to transfer all those officers against whom the Commission has recommended

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disciplinary action in the past or who have been charged for any lapse in election related
work, from the positions entailing any election work.
13. The Government of the State has been instructed to ensure that those who stand
transferred shall move out physically of their last place of posting and not remain there on
any pretext including leave.
14. The Commission has also instructed the State Government not to associate any
officer with the electoral process against whom charges have been framed in a court of law in
any case.

POLLING STATIONS
15. There are 39758 polling stations in the state. Besides, the District Election Officers
(DEO) have been authorized to propose setting up of auxiliary polling stations wherever
needed from voter’s convenience point of view. In order to facilitate conduct of poll, the
Commission has decided to appoint additional polling personnel for the booths, where the
number of electors exceeds 1200. For the facility of disabled persons, instructions have been
issued to ensure that all polling stations are located at ground floor and ramps are provided.

POLLING PARTIES AND RANDOMIZATION

16. Polling parties shall be formed randomly, using a common statewide computer
programme for randomization. Three-stage randomization will be adopted. First, from a
wider district database of eligible officials a shortlist of about 120% of the required numbers
will be randomized. This group will be trained for polling duties. In the second stage, from
this trained manpower, actual polling parties shall be formed by random selection software in
the presence of ECI Observers. In the last stage, the polling stations will be allocated just
before the polling party’s departure by random number generation. The Central Government
Employees will be utilized for the forthcoming elections to the extent possible.

COMMUNICATION PLAN
17. The District Election Officers have been asked to prepare a comprehensive
communication plan using multi-mode resources such as landline telephones, mobile
telephones, wireless sets etc. to facilitate effective monitoring and control on the day of poll.

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They have also been asked to open Help lines /Control Rooms in each AC for the
convenience of electors.

VIDEOGRAPHY
18. The Commission has issued detailed guidelines for video coverage of all critical
events during the election process and polling at sensitive / hypersensitive polling booths on
the poll day. The digital cameras will also be deployed inside the booths wherever possible.

PROTECTION TO SC/ST ELECTORS

19. As per Section 3 (1) (vii) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989, whoever, not being a member of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
Tribe, forces or intimidates a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe not to vote
or to vote to a particular candidate or to vote in a manner other than that provided by law
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but
which may extend to five years and with fine. The Commission has asked the State
Government to bring these provisions to the notice of all concerned for prompt action.

MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

20. The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately from now onwards.
The Code will apply to the whole of the State of Karnataka and will be applicable to all
candidates, political parties, the State Government and the Union Government.

SCHEDULE
21. The election schedules are given in Annexure I. The constituencies going to poll in
each phase are indicated in Annexure II, III & IV.

(BERNARD JOHN)
SECRETARY

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 ANNEXURE – I

Schedule for General Elections to Legislative Assembly of Karnataka

SCHEDULE – I
(For elections to 89 Assembly Constituencies listed in Annexure - II

Date of Issue Last Date for Last Date for Last Date for The date on
of Gazette making Scrutiny of withdrawal of which Poll
Notification Nominations Nominations candidatures shall, if
necessary, be
taken
16.04.08 23.04.08 24.04.08 26.04.08 10.05.08
(Wednesday) (Wednesday) (Thursday) (Saturday) (Saturday)

SCHEDULE – II
(For elections to 66 Assembly Constituencies listed in Annexure - III

Date of Issue Last Date for Last Date for Last Date for The date on
of Gazette making Scrutiny of withdrawal of which Poll
Notification Nominations Nominations candidatures shall, if
necessary, be
taken
22.04.08 29.04.08 30.04.08 02.05.08 16.05.08
(Tuesday) (Tuesday) (Wednesday) (Friday) (Friday)

SCHEDULE – III
(For elections to 69 Assembly Constituencies listed in Annexure - IV

Date of Issue Last Date for Last Date for Last Date for The date on
of Gazette making Scrutiny of withdrawal of which Poll
Notification Nominations Nominations candidatures shall, if
necessary, be
taken
26.04.08 03.05.08 05.05.08 07.05.08 22.05.08
(Saturday) (Saturday) (Monday) (Wednesday) (Thursday)

Counting for all phases on 25.05.08 (Sunday).

The date before which election shall be completed: 28.05.08 (Wednesday).

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 Annexure -II

General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka, 2008

Poll Days of Assembly Constituencies in different phases
Phase - I : Poll Date 10.05.2008 (Saturday)
No. of Assembly Constituencies 89
No. of Districts 11

AC No. AC Name AC Type District Name

128 Chiknayakanhalli GEN TUMKUR
129 Tiptur GEN TUMKUR
130 Turuvekere GEN TUMKUR
131 Kunigal GEN TUMKUR
132 Tumkur City GEN TUMKUR
133 Tumkur Rural GEN TUMKUR
134 Koratagere SC TUMKUR
135 Gubbi GEN TUMKUR
136 Sira GEN TUMKUR
137 Pavagada SC TUMKUR
138 Madhugiri GEN TUMKUR
139 Gauribidanur GEN CHIKKABALLAPUR
140 Bagepalli GEN CHIKKABALLAPUR
141 Chikkaballapur GEN CHIKKABALLAPUR
142 Sidlaghatta GEN CHIKKABALLAPUR
143 Chintamani GEN CHIKKABALLAPUR
144 Srinivaspur GEN KOLAR
145 Mulbagal SC KOLAR
146 Kolar Gold Field SC KOLAR
147 Bangarapet SC KOLAR
148 Kolar GEN KOLAR
149 Malur GEN KOLAR
150 Yelahanka GEN BANGALORE
151 K.R. Pura GEN BANGALORE
152 Byatarayanapura GEN BANGALORE
153 Yeshvanthapura GEN BANGALORE
154 Rajarajeshwarinagar GEN BANGALORE
155 Dasarahalli GEN BANGALORE
156 Mahalakshmi Layout GEN BANGALORE
157 Malleshwaram GEN BANGALORE

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158 Hebbal GEN BANGALORE
159 Pulakeshinagar SC BANGALORE
160 Sarvagnanagar GEN BANGALORE
161 C.V. Raman Nagar SC BANGALORE
162 Shivajinagar GEN BANGALORE
163 Shanti Nagar GEN BANGALORE
164 Gandhi Nagar GEN BANGALORE
165 Rajaji Nagar GEN BANGALORE
166 Govindraj Nagar GEN BANGALORE
167 Vijay Nagar GEN BANGALORE
168 Chamrajpet GEN BANGALORE
169 Chickpet GEN BANGALORE
170 Basavanagudi GEN BANGALORE
171 Padmanaba Nagar GEN BANGALORE
172 B.T.M. Layout GEN BANGALORE
173 Jayanagar GEN BANGALORE
174 Mahadevapura SC BANGALORE
175 Bommanahalli GEN BANGALORE
176 Bangalore South GEN BANGALORE
177 Anekal SC BANGALORE
178 Hosakote GEN BANGALORE RURAL
179 Devanahalli SC BANGALORE RURAL
180 Doddaballapur GEN BANGALORE RURAL
181 Nelamangala SC BANGALORE RURAL
182 Magadi GEN RAMNAGAR
183 Ramanagaram GEN RAMNAGAR
184 Kanakapura GEN RAMNAGAR
185 Channapatna GEN RAMNAGAR
186 Malavalli SC MANDYA
187 Maddur GEN MANDYA
188 Melukote GEN MANDYA
189 Mandya GEN MANDYA
190 Shrirangapattana GEN MANDYA
191 Nagamangala GEN MANDYA
192 Krishnarajpet GEN MANDYA
193 Shravanabelagola GEN HASSAN
194 Arsikere GEN HASSAN
195 Belur GEN HASSAN
196 Hassan GEN HASSAN
197 Holenarasipur GEN HASSAN

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198 Arkalgud GEN HASSAN
199 Sakleshpur SC HASSAN
208 Madikeri GEN KODAGU
209 Virajpet GEN KODAGU
210 Piriyapatna GEN MYSORE
211 Krishnarajanagara GEN MYSORE
212 Hunsur GEN MYSORE
213 Heggadadevankote ST MYSORE
214 Nanjangud SC MYSORE
215 Chamundeshwari GEN MYSORE
216 Krishnaraja GEN MYSORE
217 Chamaraja GEN MYSORE
218 Narasimharaja GEN MYSORE
219 Varuna GEN MYSORE
220 T.Narasipur SC MYSORE
221 Hanur GEN CHAMARAJANAGAR
222 Kollegal SC CHAMARAJANAGAR
223 Chamarajanagar GEN CHAMARAJANAGAR
224 Gundlupet GEN CHAMARAJANAGAR

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 Annexure-III

General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka, 2008

Poll Days of Assembly Constituencies in different phases
Phase - II : Poll Date 16.05.2008 (Friday)
No. of Assembly Constituencies 66
No. of Districts 10
AC No. AC Name AC Type District Name
53 Raichur Rural ST RAICHUR
54 Raichur GEN RAICHUR
55 Manvi ST RAICHUR
56 Devadurga ST RAICHUR
57 Lingsugur SC RAICHUR
58 Sindhanur GEN RAICHUR
59 Maski ST RAICHUR
60 Kushtagi GEN KOPPAL
61 Kanakagiri SC KOPPAL
62 Gangawati GEN KOPPAL
63 Yelburga GEN KOPPAL
64 Koppal GEN KOPPAL
76 Haliyal GEN UTTARA KANNADA
77 Karwar GEN UTTARA KANNADA
78 Kumta GEN UTTARA KANNADA
79 Bhatkal GEN UTTARA KANNADA
80 Sirsi GEN UTTARA KANNADA
81 Yellapur GEN UTTARA KANNADA
88 Hadagalli SC BELLARY
89 Hagaribommanahalli SC BELLARY
90 Vijayanagara GEN BELLARY
91 Kampli ST BELLARY
92 Siruguppa ST BELLARY
93 Bellary ST BELLARY
94 Bellary City GEN BELLARY
95 Sandur ST BELLARY
96 Kudligi ST BELLARY
97 Molakalmuru ST CHITRADURGA
98 Challakere ST CHITRADURGA
99 Chitradurga GEN CHITRADURGA
100 Hiriyur GEN CHITRADURGA
101 Hosadurga GEN CHITRADURGA

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102 Holalkere SC CHITRADURGA
103 Jagalur ST DAVANAGERE
104 Harapanahalli GEN DAVANAGERE
105 Harihar GEN DAVANAGERE
106 Davanagere North GEN DAVANAGERE
107 Davanagere South GEN DAVANAGERE
108 Mayakonda SC DAVANAGERE
109 Channagiri GEN DAVANAGERE
110 Honnali GEN DAVANAGERE
111 Shimoga Rural SC SHIMOGA
112 Bhadravati GEN SHIMOGA
113 Shimoga GEN SHIMOGA
114 Tirthahalli GEN SHIMOGA
115 Shikaripura GEN SHIMOGA
116 Sorab GEN SHIMOGA
117 Sagar GEN SHIMOGA
118 Byndoor GEN UDUPI
119 Kundapura GEN UDUPI
120 Udupi GEN UDUPI
121 Kapu GEN UDUPI
122 Karkal GEN UDUPI
123 Sringeri GEN CHICKMAGALUR
124 Mudigere SC CHICKMAGALUR
125 Chikmagalur GEN CHICKMAGALUR
126 Tarikere GEN CHICKMAGALUR
127 Kadur GEN CHICKMAGALUR
200 Belthangady GEN DAKSHINA KANNADA
201 Moodabidri GEN DAKSHINA KANNADA
202 Mangalore City North GEN DAKSHINA KANNADA
203 Mangalore City South GEN DAKSHINA KANNADA
204 Mangalore GEN DAKSHINA KANNADA
205 Bantval GEN DAKSHINA KANNADA
206 Puttur GEN DAKSHINA KANNADA
207 Sullia SC DAKSHINA KANNADA

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 Annexure-IV

General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka, 2008

Poll Days of Assembly Constituencies in different phases
Phase - III : Poll Date 22.05.2008 (Thursday)
No. of Assembly Constituencies 69
No. of Districts 8

AC No. AC Name AC Type District Name

1 Nippani GEN BELGAUM
2 Chikkodi-Sadalga GEN BELGAUM
3 Athani GEN BELGAUM
4 Kagwad GEN BELGAUM
5 Kudachi SC BELGAUM
6 Raybag SC BELGAUM
7 Hukkeri GEN BELGAUM
8 Arabhavi GEN BELGAUM
9 Gokak GEN BELGAUM
10 Yemkanmardi ST BELGAUM
11 Belgaum Uttar GEN BELGAUM
12 Belgaum Dakshin GEN BELGAUM
13 Belgaum Rural GEN BELGAUM
14 Khanapur GEN BELGAUM
15 Kittur GEN BELGAUM
16 Bailhongal GEN BELGAUM
17 Saundatti Yellamma GEN BELGAUM
18 Ramdurg GEN BELGAUM
19 Mudhol SC BAGALKOT
20 Terdal GEN BAGALKOT
21 Jamkhandi GEN BAGALKOT
22 Bilgi GEN BAGALKOT
23 Badami GEN BAGALKOT
24 Bagalkot GEN BAGALKOT
25 Hungund GEN BAGALKOT
26 Muddebihal GEN BIJAPUR
27 Devar Hippargi GEN BIJAPUR
28 Basavana Bagevadi GEN BIJAPUR
29 Babaleshwar GEN BIJAPUR
30 Bijapur City GEN BIJAPUR
31 Nagthan SC BIJAPUR

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32 Indi GEN BIJAPUR
33 Sindgi GEN BIJAPUR
34 Afzalpur GEN GULBARGA
35 Jevargi GEN GULBARGA
36 Shorapur ST GULBARGA
37 Shahapur GEN GULBARGA
38 Yadgir GEN GULBARGA
39 Gurmitkal GEN GULBARGA
40 Chittapur SC GULBARGA
41 Sedam GEN GULBARGA
42 Chincholi SC GULBARGA
43 Gulbarga Rural SC GULBARGA
44 Gulbarga Dakshin GEN GULBARGA
45 Gulbarga Uttar GEN GULBARGA
46 Aland GEN GULBARGA
47 Basavakalyan GEN BIDAR
48 Homnabad GEN BIDAR
49 Bidar South GEN BIDAR
50 Bidar GEN BIDAR
51 Bhalki GEN BIDAR
52 Aurad SC BIDAR
65 Shirahatti SC GADAG
66 Gadag GEN GADAG
67 Ron GEN GADAG
68 Nargund GEN GADAG
69 Navalgund GEN DHARWAD
70 Kundgol GEN DHARWAD
71 Dharwad GEN DHARWAD
72 Hubli-Dharwad-East SC DHARWAD
73 Hubli-Dharwad-Central GEN DHARWAD
74 Hubli-Dharwad-West GEN DHARWAD
75 Kalghatgi GEN DHARWAD
82 Hangal GEN HAVERI
83 Shiggaon GEN HAVERI
84 Haveri SC HAVERI
85 Byadgi GEN HAVERI
86 Hirekerur GEN HAVERI
87 Ranibennur GEN HAVERI

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