Campaigning for the multi-cornered elections to urban local bodies (ULBs) ended on Wednesday at 5 pm. With the postponement of elections to three ULBs in Kodagu district, elections would be held for 105 ULBs on Friday.
Elections to three ULBs in Kodagu have been postponed owing to heavy rain and voters still residing in relief camps in the district. Elections will also be held to three major city corporations, in Mysuru, Tumakuru and Shivamogga. The State Election Commission (SEC), in its order, has directed all candidates not to send SMS or video clippings seeking votes from the electorate. The commission has instructed them not to air messages to voters in television programmes and FM radio channels.
All the three major political parties in the State have fielded candidates in the 9,154 wards going to the polls. A large number of people who have been denied ticket by political parties are testing their fortunes as Independents. According to sources, the Congress has suspended a number of members for defying the party discipline and entering the electoral fray.
With rains receding in many districts, the SEC is expecting high voter turnout in the elections. Schools, colleges and government offices will remain closed on Friday in city corporation limits, in order to ensure that maximum number of eligible voters exercise their franchise.
The SEC has made elaborate security arrangements for peaceful polling.
