Poll Bugle Sounded: All You Need to Know About Karnataka Elections 2018

Usually controversies begin after the elections have taken place but in Karnataka it seems like trouble has started brewing even before the elections.

Even before Chief Election Commissioner, O P Rawat, announced the Karnataka election schedule in a press conference at the Nirvachan Sadan, the chief of the IT cell of the BJP Amit Malviya posted the poll date on Twitter.

While the EC has made a mention of investigating the matter, that will make for a separate article.

This article will lay down all you need to know about the upcoming elections.

On May 12, Karnataka Assembly Elections will be held and the result will be declared on May 15, 2018.

The Karnataka elections will be held in a single phase and the model code of conduct has come into effect in the poll-bound state.

What is the Model Code of Conduct?

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is set in motion in as soon as the Election Commission of India announces elections to either state assemblies or the Lok Sabha. The MCC is a set of instructions to be followed by both political parties and candidates contesting elections. These are a set of guidelines and instructions on general conduct, campaigning, meetings etc. during elections. The MCC remains operative until the entire process of elections is complete.

The following are the important guidelines for general conduct when the MCC is in place.

• No party or candidate should indulge in any activity that may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

• Criticism of other political parties, when made, should be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and Candidates should refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion should be avoided.

• There should be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, Churches, Temples or other places of worship should not be used as forum for election propaganda.

• All parties and candidates should avoid activities which are corrupt practices and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station.

These elections are being held to choose the 224 members of the Karnataka Assembly whose tenure ends in May 2018.

These polls will bring 49,682,357 voters out who are expected to exercise their franchise and the commission will be setting up 56,696 polling stations across the state.

If you reside in Karnataka and form a part of the voter base in this state then this is your chance to cast your vote and make a difference. So mark your calendar and ensure you exercise this right on May 12.

(Edited by Vinayak Hegde)

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