From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 16: The fate of as many as 434 candidates contesting in Karnataka’s 28 Lok Sabha constituencies will be decided on Thursday, April 17.
 
A total of 4.62 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 28 Lok Sabha constituencies, with polling scheduled to be held between 7 am and 6 pm in 54,264 booths across the State.

A total of 2.95 lakh personnel, including 1.18 lakh females, have been deployed for the election duty to ensure free and fair polling.

Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha, who participated in a Meet the Press programme organised by the Press Club of Bangalore and Reporters Guild of Bangalore on Wednesday, said all arrangements have been made to ensure smooth polling on Thursday.

Of the 434 candidates in the fray, the ruling Congress in the State and the opposition BJP asw well as the BSP have fielded candidates in all constituencies while the JD(S) nominees are in the fray in 25 constituencies.

Out of 54,265 booths, 11,424 booths have been declared hypersensitive and 14,968 sensitive.

A total of 60,000 security personnel have been deployed.

Steps have been for web-casting from 6087 booths and video-cameras have been set up in 6072 booths.

Speaking on cell phones from inside booths has been prohibited, Jha said.

44 Cases of Paid News in State

The Chief Electoral Officer said 44 cases of paid news have been identified and notices have been issued to candidates concerned with regard to 29 cases.

He said in three cases candidates admitted that they had paid money to get better coverage news in newspapers.

One hundred model polling booths have been established in three constituencies of Bangalore City. These booths have been provided better shade, drinking water, sitting facility for aged voters.

Bangalore North constituency has highest number of 26 candidates while the lowest is in Gulbarga at 8.

Of the 28 constituencies, 11 have more than 15 candidates.

Incidentally, Bangalore North constituency has highest number of voters – 23.99 lakh while the Udupi-Chikmagalur has the lowest – 13.86 lakh.

Postal ballots have been given to 40,000 service voters, Jha said.

Remuneration for polling staff has been increased from Rs 100-250 to Rs 175-350 depending on the designation of the staff.

EC Asked to Ensure Holiday in All Private Establishments

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress party requested the Election Commission to take stern steps to ensure that all private industrial establishments and business centres declare holiday tomorrow in view of the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

A party delegation led by Energy Minister D K Shivakumar met state Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha and submitted a letter stating that many industrial establishments situated in and around Bangalore have not yet declared holiday and are forcing their employees to attend to work.

The letter noted that to ensure polling on April 17, EC has declared holiday under the Negotiable Instrumentation Act, which is mandatory for all industries, factories, garments to declare holiday to their employees enabling them to exercise their franchise.

Requesting the Commission to take stern action to ensure they declare holiday, the delegation also asked it to direct police and labour department to be vigilant and ensure necessary steps are taken in this regard.