From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 11: With the Karnataka High Court vacating the stay order for holding elections to the taluk and zilla panchayats of Davangere, Koppal, Haveri and Gadag districts, the State Election Commission has announced that these four districts which had been kept out of the original schedule would also go to polls on December 31.
 
State Election Commissioner C R Chickmath said Deputy Commissioners of respective districts would issue election notifications on December 13. While December 20 will be the last day for filing nominations, the last day for withdrawal of papers is December 23 and scrutiny of nominations would take place on December 21.

Repolling would be held on January 3, if necessary, and counting would take place on January 4.

Elections to TPs and ZPs in Davangere and Koppal districts would be held simultaneously on December 31. Earlier, the commission issued a notification stating that TP elections in these districts would be held on December 26.

The commission has already announced that elections to TPs and ZPs in 26 districts would be held in tow phases on December 26 and 31.

Notice to Somanna
 
The State Election Commission has issued a notice to Food and Civil Supplies Minister V Somanna seeking clarifications for his announcement on Friday that foodgrains to above poverty line families would be increased from January 15.

The commission would take an appropriate decision after receiving the reply from the Minister, Chickmath said.

The commission has also received a couple of complaints regarding alleged involvement of officials in the election campaign in Kodagu district. The commission has sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner of the district on the issue, he said.