Election Commission today issued the notification for the March 18 bye-election to the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat, setting in motion the poll process.

The last date for filing of nominations would be February 29 and the scrutiny taken up the next day.  March 1 will be the last day for withdrawal.

The counting of votes will be taken up on March 21, electoral authorities said here.
Ruling BJP, seeking to retain the seat vacated by chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda on his election to the state assembly recently, has nominated its former MLA and Yuva Morcha President V Sunil Kumar.

Opposition Congress has chosen former minister K Jayaprakash Hegde, who unsuccessfully contested the 2009 Lok Sabha election. JDS is yet to announce its candidate.