Karnataka will vote in single-phase polls on May 10. The votes will be counted on May 13, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Wednesday.
The state will have over 58,000 polling stations, for 5,21,73,579 registered electors in the state, Kumar said. For the first time, Karnataka Assembly Election will have home-voting facility for 80+ senior citizens, he added.
Kumar added that the election commission will strengthen measures to curb “the use of money power” in elections. He announced the presence of 2,400 static surveillance teams to keep strict vigil.
The state has already plunged into a poll fever. The fight is most likely between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi's frequent visits to the state this year have raised the hopes of the BJP, the Congress, which will fight the elections alone in the state, is hoping to make a big come back.
The BJP has set a target of winning at least 150 seats. The Congress and JD(S) have already announced their first list of 124 and 93 candidates, respectively.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the BJP will begin the process of choosing its candidates soon. The saffron party's poll manifesto this time will be 'Praja Pranalike' (people's manifesto), he said.