EC starts preparation for Karnataka Assembly polls

Bangalore: The Election Commission today set the ball rolling on the formal preparatory exercise for the Assembly polls in Karnataka, expected in May, by interacting with representatives of political parties here. The full bench of the EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath and comprising Election Commissioners HS Brahma and Nasim Zaidi, held discussions and listened to suggestions of the parties regarding the poll, official sources said.[caption id=“attachment_645637” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] The two-day visit of the EC is “routine” as it’s always the practice in a poll-bound state, they said. The EC bench would review district-wise preparedness, hold interactions with the jurisdictional deputy commissioners and superintendents of police on Saturday. The term of the present Assembly ends on 3 June. A delegation of the ruling BJP told the EC that the expenditure limit for the Assembly election needs to be enhanced. “The price rise and inflation have caused the expenditure limits to be unrealistic”, it said. BJP also suggested that appropriate controlling mechanisms and a code of conduct be brought for curbing paid news. PTI