Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar said that the process for elections to Ullal and Puttur City Municipal Councils and Bantwal Town Municipal Council - a total of three urban local bodies (ULBs) - has started.

There are 1,17,445 voters in these ULBs, including 59,420 women voters.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with representatives from various political parties on Saturday, he said Ullal and Puttur CMCs have 31 wards each while Bantwal TMC has 27 wards. Ullal has 44,273 voters, Puttur—39532 and Bantwal—33,640 voters.

The first list of voters has been published. Eligible voters can submit their names with documents to be included into the voter’s list till August 10. Those who are voters in the ULB jurisdiction are eligible to contest the election, he added.

Use of EVMs

For the first time, electronic voting machines (EVMs) are used in the ULB polls in Karnataka, he said and added that 145 control units and 145 ballot units will be utilised.

About 5 % of the EVMs will be used for training and creating awareness. The EVMs will have the photographs of the candidates. Even NOTA option is given for the voters. The first round of randomisation of EVMs has been completed to distribute the EVMs to the ULBs, he explained.

50% reservation

The additional DC said that for the first time, 50% of the seats are reserved for women candidates in the ULBs. The reservation list has already been published.  In the previous election, there was a 33% reservation for women. If there are no SC candidates in an SC reserved ward, then a candidate from ST can contest and vice versa. Such interchange is applicable for Backward Class A and B category as well, he explained.

The poll code of conduct has come into effect from the day of announcement of election (August 2), Kumar said, adding that three teams have been constituted to check the violation of model code of conduct in each ULB. Already, a team, led by tahsildar, has cleared the banners and flexes in the ULB jurisdiction, he said.

Polling booths

There are 43 polling booths in Ullal CMC. In this, 18 are hypersensitive, 11 are sensitive booths. There are 41 booths in Puttur, including 27 hypersensitive and 14 general booths. Bantwal has 32 booths; of which 18 are hypersensitive and 14 are sensitive booths.
The counting of votes will be held at Bharath High School in Ullal, Taluk office in Puttur and Taluk office in Bantwal, on September 1. The last date for filing the nomination papers is August 17. The papers will be scrutinised on August 18 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is August 20. The polling will be held on August 29 from 7 am and 5 pm.