BBMP polls on Feb 21
Model code of conduct to come into effect only from January 15
The much-awaited Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections will take place on February 21, 2010. Counting of votes will be on February 24.
However, what has raised eyebrows is State Chief Election Commissioner C R Chikmath’s announcement that the election code of conduct would come into effect only on January 15, 2010, ie, 40 days later. The entire election process will be completed on February 25, 2010, he told reporters on Monday.
Chikmath said the BBMP commissioner would release the election notification on February 1, 2010, and the last date of filing nominations will be February 8, 2010.
The last date of reviewing nomination papers is February 9, whereas the last date of withdrawing candidature is February 11.
The election will be held on February 21, 2010 from 7 am to 5 pm. Counting of votes will begin at 8 am on February 24. There are 66,19,704 voters under the BBMP, of whom 34,82,698 are women. There will be 6,590 booths. This is the first BBMP election in which electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used. The Election Commission has bought 9,000-odd EVMs for the purpose.
Officials on duty
A total of 7,260 presiding officers and 21,773 personnel will be involved in the process. Four district election officers, eight additional election officers, 28 voter registration officers, 64 assistant voter registration officers, 60 returning officers and 220 assistant returning officers will man the event.
Chikmath said the commission has also made arrangements for monitoring sensitive booths. The ceiling on the expenditure of candidates is Rs 5 lakh.
