Udupi, only district in state with two-phased polling

Udupi: In the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Udupi is the only district in Karnataka to undergo two-phased polling and all necessary arrangements have been undertaken by the district administration for the conduction of an open, free and safe election.

In the past, there have been instances where assembly segments in different districts fall in different Lok Sabha constituency. However, during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Udupi happens to be the only district in the state in which polling will take place in two phases. The first phase of voting will be held on April 18^th for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency and the second phase of election is to be conducted on April 23^rd for Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency under which falls Byndoor assembly constituency.

The respective Deputy Commissioners of Udupi and Shimoga districts will also function as the electoral officer for the district. However, electronic voting machines, VVPAT , staff, vehicles, police and other requirements for the voting at Shimoga constituency is provided by Udupi district administration. Meanwhile, permission for campaigning at Shimoga constituency has to be obtained from the Byndoor electoral officer.

“This time’s Lok Sabha election will be held in two phases in Udupi district. In this backdrop, SVEEP programmes will continue till April 22^nd. Different types of programmes have been planned for Byndoor assembly constituency in Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency,” informed Sindhu Rupesh, President of Udupi district Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation programme (SVEEP)