Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP has confirmed that all necessary arrangements are set for the byelection to the Karnataka Legislative Council from the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Local Authorities’ Constituency on Monday. Polling will occur from 8 AM to 4 PM, covering a total of 392 polling booths, of which 53 have been marked as sensitive.
Enhanced security measures include complete video recording at sensitive booths and additional police presence. Micro-observers will oversee booths with over 20 voters, and CCTV cameras will monitor the election process in respective gram panchayats and urban local bodies.
The constituency has 6,032 voters, with 3,552 in Dakshina Kannada and 2,480 in Udupi. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 24 at St. Aloysius Pre-University College in Mangaluru.
A total of 540 police officers have been deployed in Dakshina Kannada, and 328 in Udupi. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are in effect around polling booths, limiting gatherings to no more than five people, and banning processions, meetings, and weapons. However, these orders do not apply to funerals, marriages, and religious processions, provided the model code of conduct is maintained.
Voters are reminded to use the violet pen provided to mark their preferences clearly on the ballot paper, as any other marking tool will render the ballot invalid. Candidates in the fray include Kishore BR (BJP), Raju Poojary (Congress), Anwar Sadath S (SDPI), and Dinakar Ullal (Independent).