Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjeev Kumar has made it clear that the fifteen MLAs disqualified from the state assembly cannot contest in the upcoming by-elections.
Speaking to reporters in the city, Kumar stated that, as per the order issued by former Speaker Ramesh Kumar, none of the disqualified MLAs can contest in any elections till 2023.
He also added that the by-polls for the RR Nagar and Maski Assembly constituencies are not yet scheduled.
Kumar further said, “The electoral code of conduct has come into effect in all the constituencies where the by-polls are scheduled to be conducted. Citizens still have a chance to enroll their names in the voter lists. VVPAT-enabled EVMs will be used for the by-polls.”
Rebel MLA Dr Sudhakar confident SC will stay by-polls
Disqualified MLA Dr K Sudhakar, who was elected from the Chikkaballapura Assembly constituency, has said that he is confident that the Supreme Court will issue a stay order against teh CEC’s recent announcement of by-polls in 15 constituencies.
Speaking to reporters, Sudhakar stated that the petition filed by the rebel MLAs will be heard by the apex court on Monday, September 23.
He said, “We are confident that the Supreme Court will stay the CEC by-election notification.”
“Former Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar did us a big injustice. We will fight it in court,” he added.
