Karnataka Assembly and Jalandhar Lok Sabha by election on May 10

Elections to Karnataka Assembly and Bye elections to five Lok Sabha seats, including Jalandhar, will be held on May 10, Election Commission of India, announced on Wednesday.

Newly appointed Election Commissioner, Arun Goel, who sought voluntary retirement from Indian Administrative Service, hours before his appointment as Election Commissioner, was present at the Press briefing. His appointment had stirred an uproar even the Apex Court had taken cognizance of the hurried  manner in which his appointment was made. Mr. Arun Goal belonged to the Punjab cadre of the Indian Administrative Service and had a distinguished record.

Jalandhar seat was declared vacant after the death of Mr. Santokh Chaudhary during Bharat Jodho campaign of Congress led by Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission said  that Karnataka Assembly elections will be held on May 10 and counting of votes will take place on May 13.

The  commission also announced the date for the five Lok Sabha bye elections, including Jalandhar in Punjab and Jharsuguda in Odisha.

The term of the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will end on May 24

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said the commission is committed to conducting a free and fair poll.

Karnataka has 224 assembly constituencies, comprising 173 general seats, 36 SC and 15 ST seats, he said.

Persons with disabilities will get an opportunity to vote from home, the CEC said.

Also, voters who are 80 and above would get the facility to vote from home.

Prabhjot Singh