Karnataka Assembly elections: polling in R.R. Nagar postponed to May 28

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on May 11 deferred election in the R.R. Nagar Assembly constituency in Bengaluru following the seizure of around 10,000 voter identity cards.

Election in the seat will now take place on May 28 and the counting of votes on May 31.

The Commission took cognigance of two incidents, terming them serious: the first one pertains to the seizure of Rs.95 lakh in cash on May 6 and the second one to the seizure of voter identity cards, 20,700 photo voter slips, survey forms of voters and other articles seized from a flat in Jalahalli on May 8.

After the second incident came to light, the State Chief Electoral Officer and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner were directed to visit the spot.

Preliminary report

A preliminary ground report was submitted to the ECI, following which it sent the Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) for further inquiry and sought a report within 24 hours.

In his report, the DEC mentioned that several cases had been registered against the accused persons, including the candidate (s) concerning seizure or various materials. Gift items like T-shirts and half-pants had also been seized.

Based on the findings, the Commission deferred the election and directed the officials concerned to distribute the illegally collected IDs to the voters seven days ahead of the rescheduled election.

A special team of observers will be sent by the ECI to keep a close watch on election expenditures, while the police have been instructed to take strict action against those involved.

The ECI has already postponed election in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, following the death of BJP candidate B.N. Vijay Kumar.