Karnataka elections likely on May 20, 23

Karnataka is likely to face Assembly elections on May 20 and 23 with counting of votes taking place on May 27, as per tentative dates examined by the Election Commission.

The EC was understood to have held a preliminary meeting to discuss the Assembly elections in the southern state recently and decided on the two-phase elections. The chief electoral officer of Karnataka gave a presentation on the school examinations and holidays, festivals, monsoon etc.

The full bench of EC under chief election commission V S Sampath will meet in the first or second week of March to decide on the Karnataka election dates. The term of the current Assembly expires on June 3.

It is unlikely that the EC will go for dates earlier than May fourth week for polling even if the ruling BJP government falls anytime now because of the preparations needed, EC sources disclosed.