Biennial poll to legislative council on June 10

Amidst an uncertain political scenario in which former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is trying to play his trump card against ruling BJP government, headed by his successor D S Sadananda Gowda, the state is readying to face a by-election to the Karnataka Legislative Council.

The biennial election to fill six vacancies in the council from graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies on June 10 can turn out to be interesting, if not crucial, for the Sadananda Gowda who is facing uncertainty as his predecessor is opposing his continuing in the chief minister’s post without making way for him.

Among the six seats to be filled three are from Mysore region - the Karnataka South Teachers’ Constituency, represented by Marithibbe Gowda (independent), South-West Graduates’ Constituency represented by Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy (BJP) and South-West Teachers’ Constituency represented by Ganesh Karnik (BJP). Their term is expiring on June 21.

Mysore district comes under Karnataka South Teachers’ Constituency, along with Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan districts.

The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the biennial polls to fill the six vacancies.

Mysore Regional Commissioner M V Jayanthi, who is also the returning officer, has released the calendar of events for the three constituencies that come under her jurisdiction.

According to the notification, the last date for filing nominations is May 23, commencing May 16. Scrutiny will be conducted the next day after which withdrawals will follow on May 26. Polls will take place between 8 am and 4 pm on June 10.

Counting of votes will be held at 8 am on June 13 and elections will be completed by June 15, she said.

According to an Election Commission notification, the model code of conduct has come into force in the districts in which the six constituencies fall in.