With this, aspirants started filing nominations papers in 16 districts coming under the first phase.

The districts are: Bangalore urban, Bangalore rural, Ramanagar, Chitradurga, Davangere, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Shimoga, Tumkur, Bidar, Bellary, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Udupi. Deputy Commissioners of these districts issued the notification.
Polling for 2,643 gram panchayats in the first phase, is scheduled to be held on May 8.