For the first time in the history of Karnataka elections, the Election Commission will use three ballot units of EVMs in Mulbagal — for the May 12 polls — because the number of candidates contesting from there is 39, the highest from a single constituency. As many as 25 constituencies have more than 15 candidates and require more than one ballot unit of EVMs. The lowest nominations are from Sedam and Challakere with four candidates each this time.
Addressing presspersons here, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar said in 2013, Ballari had the highest number of candidates (29), and two ballot units were used there. Yemkanamardi and Mudhol had the lowest with five candidates each.
“One ballot unit can accommodate 15 candidates apart from one symbol for NOTA. Mulbagal has 39 and we need three units there,” he said. While a total of 3,509 nominated candidates without duplicates, 271 nominations have been rejected and 583 have been withdrawn. The highest rejection of eight each are in Shantinagar and Rajajinagar and the highest number of withdrawals are from Mulbagal, the CEO said.
After rejections and withdrawal, there are a total of 2,655 contesting candidates. This includes 1,155 Independents, 2,436 male and 219 female candidates, he said.
In 2013, of the total 3,692 nominations, 744 had been rejected and withdrawn leaving 2,948 in the fray. While a total of 800 are contesting from registered unrecognised parties this time, 832 had contested in 2013.
Seizures, cases
So far, the Election Commission has seized ₹50.25 crore in cash and 46,1287.317 lakh litres of liquor worth ₹21.58 crore. Similarly, 14.693 kg of gold and 10 kg of silver worth a total of ₹3.75 crore and other materials, including laptops and household goods worth ₹21.19 crore have been seized from the date of announcement of elections till date, the CEO added.
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