Karnataka bypolls on December 5: Election Commission

Bengaluru: A day after the Election Commission (EC) told the Supreme Court that it will defer the bypolls to 15 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, the Commission on Friday rescheduled the byelections for December 5 while the counting of votes will take place on December 9.

The bypolls have become necessary following the disqualification of 17 Congress and JD(S) MLAs who had represented these seats. Bypolls to two seats have not been announced because of pending litigation.

On Thursday, the EC had told the court that it would defer the bypolls till the apex court decides on the pleas filed by the disqualified MLAs challenging their disqualification. These rebel MLAs are looking forward to a decision on their pleas to set aside their disqualification so that they can contest again.  

The top court had fixed the date for continuing the hearing and disposal of the disqualification case for October 22 with the parties directed to complete the arguments by October 15.

If their disqualification is set aside and they win the polls, the rebel MLAs who played a pivotal role in pulling down the coalition government, can aspire to become ministers in the Yediyurappa government.

As per the new schedule, the filing of nominations will begin on November 11 and the last date for filing nominations is November 18. The date of scrutiny is November 19 and the last date for withdrawal is November 21.

The EC also said that the nominations filed as per the earlier poll schedule, will also be taken up for scrutiny at that time.